Definition of account
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a record of debit (see debit entry 2 sense 1a) and credit (see credit entry 1 sense 2d) entries to cover transactions involving a particular item or a particular person or concern
b
: a statement of transactions during a fiscal period and the resulting balance
2a
: a statement explaining one's conduct
She was asked to give an account of her actions.
b
: a statement or exposition of reasons, causes, or motives
no satisfactory account of these phenomena
c
: a reason for an action : basis
On that account I must refuse.
3a(1)
: a formal business arrangement providing for regular dealings or services (such as banking, advertising, or store credit) and involving the establishment and maintenance of an account
a checking account
also
: client, customer
They are one of our most important accounts.
(2)
: money deposited in a bank account and subject to withdrawal by the depositor
b
: an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or email services of a particular company
4a
: value, importance
It's of no account to me.
b
: esteem
stood high in their account
5
: advantage
turned her wit to good account
6a
: careful thought : consideration
factoring all of these issues into account
— see also take account of
b
: a usually mental record : track
Keep account of all you do.
7
: a description of facts, conditions, or events : report, narrative
the newspaper account of the fire By all accounts they're well-off.
also
: performance
a straightforward account of the sonata
give a good account of oneself
on account
on account of
on no account
on one's own account
: to perform well especially in a competition or confrontation : to acquit oneself well
Though he has an aristocratic bearing, he could probably give a good account of himself in a street fight.— Ishmael Reed
: with the price charged to one's account
purchasing on account
: for the sake of : because of
The game was cancelled on account of rain.
: under no circumstances
On no account should the children be left alone at home.
1
: on one's own behalf
I'm doing it on my own account, not for anyone else.
2
: at one's own risk
3
: by oneself : on one's own
account
verb
accounted; accounting; accounts
Definition of account (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to furnish a justifying analysis or explanation
—used with for couldn't account for the loss
2a
: to be the sole or primary factor
—used with for The left fielder accounted for all three putouts.
b
: to bring about the capture, death, or destruction of something
—used with for Enemy fighters accounted for two of the bombers.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for account
The first known use of account was in the 14th century
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