accrual

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cru·​al ə-ˈkrü-əl 

1

: the action or process of accruing something

money gained by the accrual of interest

2

: something that accrues or has accrued

an employee's vacation accruals

accrual

2 of 2

adjective

: relating to or being a method of accounting that recognizes income when earned and expenses when incurred regardless of when cash is received or disbursed (see disburse sense 1a) compare cash entry 2

Synonyms of accrual

Noun

• increase
• gain
• addition
• boost

Examples of accrual in a Sentence

Noun

had an accrual of $100 through interest on my savings account last year

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That means protecting benefits already earned while negotiating responsible adjustments for future accruals, exploring constitutional pathways for reform and offering voluntary buyout incentives to reduce long-term liabilities. —Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

The net accrual of $615 million represented nearly 23% of DHS’s total federal fund expenditure that year. —J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2026

Adjective

California’s generous vacation accrual policies have led to a $5.6-billion unfunded liability, with 80 workers leaving their jobs last year with more than $250,000 each in stockpiled time off. —Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

And basically you’re allowed to not work for a while and spend down your accrual of points and still get coverage. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

accrue + -al entry 2

Adjective

derivative of accrual entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for accrual

• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel

Legal Definition

accrual

noun

ac·​cru·​al ə-ˈkrü-əl 

1

: the action or process of accruing

claim must be brought within two years of the date of accrual

2

a

: something that accrues

especially : an amount of money that periodically accumulates for a specific purpose (as payment of taxes or interest)

b

: something that has accrued during a specified period