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

Tuesday was different in the immense number of people calling for the justice and accountability. — Mary Ella Hastings, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

But that alignment will be credible only if it is grounded in high-quality science, public accountability, and sufficient resources. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Without regulation, incidents continue and accountability is limited. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

That lack of accountability is exactly what lawmakers must address. — Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above