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

Take accountability, learn from mistakes. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026

The Bee covered California’s roads with an eye toward accountability. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026

The consortium shared plans to convene partners and track annual progress but stressed that meaningful movement depends on government backing and enforceable accountability. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2025

Standing before family, supporters, and state officials, Johnson framed the moment as both symbolic and consequential, describing her oath of office as a commitment to integrity, accountability, and service to Georgians who rely on the commission's decisions every day. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above