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

Recordings of Rajab’s call with paramedics gained international attention, driving calls for accountability for her killing and that of thousands of other children in Gaza. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

The technology is designed to build material control and accountability directly into a recycling plant rather than adding those systems after the facility is designed. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026

Hennepin County’s top prosecutor calls the interstate clash over Castro’s transfer a needless test of states’ duty to honor extradition — and of whether federal agents can evade accountability. — Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Once fraudsters know there is real oversight and accountability, many won’t even attempt to game the system. — Brian Shortsleeve, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

accountable + -ity

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above