accounting

1 of 2

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.

accounting

2 of 2

present participle of account entry 2

Synonyms of accounting

Noun

• explanation
• reason

Examples of accounting in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, Democratic senators are demanding that Hegseth provide a full accounting of the costs of the Iran war. — Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

The proper accounting of military fatalities has implications beyond public transparency. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

But questions about the industry’s financial accounting have continued. — Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Any honest accounting of mail-in voting should begin with that distinction. — Lee Moak, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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)