Accountability
/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/
Definitions
The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.
/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/
The state of being accountable.
There is a need for greater accountability in the financial industry.
💡 Simply: Being responsible for your actions and their consequences.
More Examples
The manager stressed the importance of accountability for all team members.
How It's Used
"The company emphasized accountability for all employees."
"The government's lack of accountability led to public outrage."
From Middle English *acountable*, from Anglo-French *acomtable*, from Old French *acomtabel*, from *a-* + *comte* "count, reckoning". The suffix *-ability* denotes capacity or capability.
The word has evolved from its older meaning related to financial accounting to encompass a broader sense of responsibility and answerability for one's actions.
Memory tip
Account + ability: The ability to give an account of one's actions.