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

That is a second job by any honest accounting, layered on a first one, during the years the first one is supposed to compound. — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

However, Microsoft has signed significant long-term data center leases — and those are considered liabilities under accounting rules, given the company is obligated to make regular lease payments. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

The labs are concentrating on making models better at marketable skills, like legal work and accounting. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Envision has formed an Office of the CFO led by president and CEO Jason Owen, with Holly Jensen, SVP and chief accounting officer, and Jeffrey O'Brien, treasurer and SVP of investor relations and risk management, to support the transition. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Aug. 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)