private salenoun [ C or U ]
ukusFINANCE a situation in which shares, bonds, etc. are sold to only a small group of investors, rather than on an open market:
a private sale of sth The company raised nearly $6 million through a private sale of stock to investors.
COMMERCE, PROPERTY a situation in which land, a house, etc. is sold directly to the buyer, rather than through an agent (= someone acting for the seller):
You don't have to pay estate agents' fees if you opt for a private sale.
He decided to sell the house by private sale.