[] () a type of auction in which prices go down rather than up as suppliers compete for a contract by offering to supply sth at a lower price than their competitors 反向拍卖（一种拍卖方式，供货商逐步降低报价，价格最低者中标）◆The automaker recently tried out an online reverse auction for tires. 这家汽车制造商最近尝试了轮胎的网上反向拍卖。