accountability

noun

ac·​count·​abil·​i·​ty ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being accountable

… the CFO has ultimate accountability for maintaining the books and records of the company …

—The Motley Fool

especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions

demanded more accountability from public officials

The … quarterback did take accountability for his play … recognizing it as an error that can't happen at this level.

—Steven Corder

Examples of accountability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to trying to hold lawmakers accountable for passing a state spending plan on time, Duggan outlined his plan to give school administrators a runway to improve student outcomes before firing them, which would give school districts some say in their accountability measures. —Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Instead, Newsom’s decision sends a troubling message about the state’s commitment to safety and accountability. —Mohammed Jawad, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025

The Mobility Board recommended reforms and improved policies on transparency and accountability, while the grand jury recommended the districts be taken over by neighborhood planning groups. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

The mayor’s office announced the speech weeks after the release of 2025 MCAS and state accountability data for the district. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above