account for (something)
phrasal verb
accounted for (something); accounting for (something); accounts for (something)
1
: to give a reason or explanation for (something)
How do you account for your success?
2
: to be the cause of (something)
These new features account for the computer's higher price.
3
: to make up or form (a part of something)
Women account for only 25 percent of our employees.
4
US
: to think about (something) before doing something : to take (something) into consideration
The researchers failed to account for the fact that most of the students were poor.
Examples of account for (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For years, the Pentagon has been trying – and failing – to clearly account for its finances.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
The Accountant, directed by Gavin O'Connor, premiered in 2016 and follows Christian — an autistic mathematics savant who works as a freelance account for dangerous criminal organizations.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
The victim was identified by his family as 20-year-old Billy Sheffield IV, according to posts on social media and a GoFundMe account for funeral expenses.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2025
Critics mocking Trump’s fixation on Greenland fail to account for the underlying significance to U.S. and NATO defense.
—Ryan P. Burke, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for account for (something) 
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
The Accountant, directed by Gavin O'Connor, premiered in 2016 and follows Christian — an autistic mathematics savant who works as a freelance account for dangerous criminal organizations.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
The victim was identified by his family as 20-year-old Billy Sheffield IV, according to posts on social media and a GoFundMe account for funeral expenses.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2025
Critics mocking Trump’s fixation on Greenland fail to account for the underlying significance to U.S. and NATO defense.
—Ryan P. Burke, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for account for (something)
Dictionary Entries Near account for (something)
Cite this Entry
“Account for (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/account%20for%20%28something%29. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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