option

The definition of an option is the choice or the power to make a choice, or a contract for the right to buy or sell something at a specific price within a specific time period.

(noun)

  1. An example of an option is the choice between ice cream and pumpkin pie for dessert.
  2. An example of an option is the ability to buy ABC stock at a certain price, regardless of the prevailing market price.

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See option in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the act of choosing; choice
  2. the power, right, or liberty of choosing
    1. something that is or can be chosen; choice
    2. an optional item that can be purchased to supplement or enhance another consumer item
  3. a contract by which one person, company, etc. gives another, for a consideration, the right to buy, sell, or lease something, sign or renew a contract, etc. at a specified price and within a specified time
  4. Football an offensive play in which the ball carrier decides whether to hand off, run with, lateral, or pass the football

Origin: Fr < L optio < optare, to wish, desire, ult. < IE *op-, to choose, prefer

transitive verb

  1. Sports to transfer (a player) to a minor league with the option of recalling him
  2. to grant or acquire by means of an option (); specif., to buy or sell (rights) to (a book, film, etc.) in this way

See option in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The act of choosing; choice. See Synonyms at choice.
  2. The power or freedom to choose.
  3. a. The exclusive right, usually obtained for a fee, to buy or sell something within a specified time at a set price.
    b. The privilege of demanding fulfillment of a contract at a specified time.
    c. A stock option.
    d. The right of the holder of an insurance policy to specify the manner in which payments are to be made or credited to the policyholder.
    e. Baseball The right of a major-league team to transfer a player to a minor-league team while being able to recall the player within a specified period.
  4. Something chosen or available as a choice.
  5. An item or feature that may be chosen to replace or enhance standard equipment, as in a car.
  6. Football An offensive play in which a back, usually the quarterback, has the choice of running with the ball or throwing a forward pass.
transitive verb op·tioned, op·tion·ing, op·tions
  1. To acquire or grant an option on: “had optioned for a film several short stories about two policemen” (Barbara Goldsmith).
  2. Baseball To transfer (a major-league player) to a minor-league club on option.

Origin:

Origin: Latin optiō, optiōn-

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