Responsibility
rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti
Definitions
The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.
rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti
The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
It is my responsibility to ensure the safety of the children.
💡 Simply: Imagine you promised to take care of your pet hamster. Responsibility is like keeping that promise: making sure the hamster has food, water, and a clean cage. It's about doing what you're supposed to do.
👶 For kids: Being responsible means that you are expected to do something and to deal with it.
More Examples
She took full responsibility for the accident.
The manager delegated the responsibility for the project to his team.
How It's Used
"The CEO has ultimate responsibility for the company's performance."
"Students are taught to take responsibility for their actions."
"The government has a responsibility to protect its citizens."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
assume responsibility
To accept a duty or obligation.
"The new manager assumed responsibility for the department's turnaround."
share responsibility
To divide the duty or obligation between two or more people.
"The team shared responsibility for the project's success."
From Middle English responsibilite, from Old French responsibilité, from Medieval Latin responsibilitas, from Latin responsus (past participle of respondere, "to respond") + -ibilitas (forming abstract nouns).
The concept of responsibility has evolved from the feudal system's emphasis on obligation to a modern understanding of individual accountability. The word's presence increased significantly with the development of democratic governance and legal systems.
Memory tip
Think of 'response-ability' – the ability to respond and be held accountable.