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

Surprisingly, media coverage has been decent and calls for accountability abound, from the streets to the news. — Marina Sitrin, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

But local governments should not be forced to shoulder the public-safety consequences of decisions made in Sacramento without adequate transparency and accountability. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Families still seeking justice Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, who attended Monday’s press conference at FIU, told the gathering that the families of the dead men have spent three decades demanding accountability. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Some might think introducing another layer of accountability would stifle innovation. — Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above