accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇n-tiŋ 

1

: the system of recording and summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing, verifying, and reporting the results

also : the principles and procedures of this system

studied accounting as a freshman

2

a

: work done in accounting or by accountants

b

: an instance of applied accounting or of the settling or presenting of accounts

3

: account sense 2

They were required to provide a detailed accounting of their actions.

Synonyms

• account
• argument
• case
• explanation
• rationale
• reason

Examples of accounting in a Sentence

what accounting can you give for your bizarre actions on the night in question?

Recent Examples on the Web

Here’s how the thesis goes: First, acquire traditional business process outsourcing (BPO) companies such as call centers and accounting firms at modest valuations of 1x revenue. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025

Unlike accounting expertise that could be compartmentalized to audit committees, AI permeates every business function. —Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 26 June 2025

The cap figure is often tweaked just ahead of free agency opening, which is next week, as the league wraps up final accounting on the just-finished season. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acountynge "reckoning, calculation," from gerund of accounten "to account entry 2"

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accounting

• cost accounting
• there's no accounting for taste

Rhymes for accounting

• amounting
• discounting
• dismounting
• recounting
• surmounting
• counting
• mounting

Kids Definition

accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇nt-iŋ 

1

: the system or practice of recording the amounts of money made and spent by a person or business

2

: a statement explaining one's conduct : account sense 5a

Legal Definition

accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing

1

: an often court-ordered presentment or examination of accounts

a complete accounting would be necessary to determine the nature of the expenditures

—Case & Comment

2

: the settlement by judicial action of the assets of a partnership (as upon dissolution)