auditor

noun

au·​di·​tor ˈȯ-də-tər 

1

: a person authorized to examine and verify accounts

2

: one who hears or listens

especially : one who is a member of an audience

3

: a person who audits a course of study

4

: a person who hears something (such as a court case) in the capacity of judge

Did you know?

The auditing of a company's financial records by independent examiners on a regular basis is necessary to prevent "cooking the books", and thus to keep the company honest. We don't normally think of auditors as listening, since looking at and adding up numbers is their basic line of work, but auditors do have to listen to people's explanations, and perhaps that's the historical link. Hearing is more obviously part of another meaning of audit, the kind that college students do when they sit in on a class without taking exams or receiving an official grade.

Examples of auditor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But according to the state audit, despite securing state funds for the project, California State University and San Jose State leaders began pursuing a different housing project — Spartan Village — in the fall of 2023, which the auditor alleges was not authorized by the state. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025

The auditor spoke with the Herald outside the State House on Wednesday, following a rally in support of the legislative audit, which received 72% voter approval last November. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025

Advertisement By the turn of the 20th century, African American men held prominent federal government roles as diplomats, auditors, and customs officials. —Time, 14 Oct. 2025

Investigators Patrick Flanagan and Ariella Walsh spoke to Interim City Attorney Anthony Fox, the deputy city attorney, the city auditor, Lyles and all 11 council members. —Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English auditour "hearer, listener, official who examines and verifies accounts," borrowed from Anglo-French auditur, auditour, borrowed from Medieval Latin audītor "hearer, hearer of pleas (in court or Parliament), official who examines accounts," going back to Latin, "hearer, listener, disciple," from audīre "to hear" + -tor, agent suffix — more at audible entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

auditor

noun

au·​di·​tor ˈȯd-ət-ər 

1

: a person who listens to or hears something or someone

especially : a member of an audience

2

: a person who audits accounts

Legal Definition

auditor

noun

au·​di·​tor ˈȯ-də-tər 

1

: a person qualified and authorized to examine and verify financial records

2

: a referee appointed by a court in a civil action

especially : one designated to prepare an account for the court see also master