audit

1 of 2

noun

au·​dit ˈȯ-dət How to pronounce audit (audio)
1
a
: a formal examination of an organization's or individual's accounts or financial situation
The audit showed that the company had misled investors.
b
: the final report of an audit
2
: a methodical examination and review
an energy audit of the house

audit

2 of 2

verb

audited; auditing; audits

transitive verb

1
: to perform an audit of or for
audit the books
audit the company
2
: to attend (a course) without working for or expecting to receive formal credit
audited a foreign language course
auditability noun
auditable adjective
auditee noun

Examples of audit in a Sentence

Noun The Internal Revenue Service selected us for an audit. You will need all your records if you are selected for audit by the IRS. Verb They audit the company books every year. The Internal Revenue Service audited him twice in 10 years. I audited an English literature class last semester.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In a new report shared with CFO Daily, ISACA—a global association for IT governance, security, risk, and audit professionals—surveyed more than 3,800 cybersecurity experts. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025 The news of the board-wide audit was first reported by WITI-TV (Channel 6). Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia — who has been auditing local government spending in a statewide effort inspired by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency — waived away any criticism that the free land deal was political. Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025 The campaign finance reports of all 18 members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors were audited by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office after an ethics body raised concerns. Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for audit

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English audyte "examination of accounts, judicial hearing," borrowed from Medieval Latin audītus "sense of hearing, act of listening, right to judicial hearing, examination of accounts," going back to Latin, "sense or act of hearing," from audīre "to hear" + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at audible entry 1

Note: The sense "examination of accounts," attested relatively late in Medieval Latin, is based on the word audītor, which in the meaning "one who examines accounts" is recorded much earlier—see auditor.

Verb

Middle English audyten, derivative of audyte audit entry 1; in sense 2 back-formation from auditor

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of audit was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Audit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/audit. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

audit

1 of 2 noun
au·​dit ˈȯd-ət How to pronounce audit (audio)
1
: a thorough check of accounts especially of a business
2
: a careful check or review
an energy audit of our house

audit

2 of 2 verb
: to make an audit of

Legal Definition

audit

noun
au·​dit ˈȯ-dət How to pronounce audit (audio)
: a formal examination of financial records often to uncover fraud or inaccurate tax returns
also : the final report of such an examination
audit verb

More from Merriam-Webster on audit

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