accountability

noun

ac·​count·​abil·​i·​ty ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being accountable

… the CFO has ultimate accountability for maintaining the books and records of the company …

—The Motley Fool

especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions

demanded more accountability from public officials

The … quarterback did take accountability for his play … recognizing it as an error that can't happen at this level.

—Steven Corder

Examples of accountability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After years of demanding change from outside the system, Johnson will now help shape accountability from within it. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Middlesex residents deserve transparency and accountability from their District Attorney’s office. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

This January, Maryland should stop relying on the resilience of children to survive a preventable epidemic and finally demand accountability from the adults entrusted with keeping them safe. — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

At this point, no outcome will have any legitimacy without full transparency and accountability. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above