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

• explanation
• 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

Following his victory, Sawkins continued his studies in accounting and finance at the University of Edinburgh, per Netflix's Tudum. —Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Last year, a representative for the brand told WWD that Guest in Residence’s revenue was up 100 percent from the year prior, with direct sales through stores and online accounting for half its business and wholesale consisting of the other half. —Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025

Shrink rates are also improving because retailers’ accounting of their merchandise has improved. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025

Droll and deadpan, Starnone’s novel offers an accounting of the tolls and the consolations of lifelong artistic pursuit. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 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)