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

The real advantage comes from connecting information, accountability and execution so the business can act with confidence. — Suresh Rajapakse, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

In the years around the beef, shocking revelations about Diddy as well as the global elite’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein have become folded into the background, alongside a sense that accountability remains selective. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Other cuts included the only two investigative reporters at the Charlotte Observer, and a team of government accountability reporters at the Kansas City Star. — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

At the core of those gatherings, though, is an accountability to the details. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above