Accountability Meaning
/əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account or give an explanation; liability to be held responsible or answerable for something.
nounAn open determination of one's responsibility for something and imposition of consequences.
Sentence Examples
The accountability of the management of the organization is held in question.
Corporate governance and accountability are being strengthened.
A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In a democracy, elected officials must have ____ to the public for their actions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Transparent systems ensure greater ____ for elected officials.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English accountable Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English accountability From accountable + -ity.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American Democracy. For with primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future."
— 1946, Winston Churchill, Sinews of Peace:
"Some companies may not even know whether nanomaterials are present in their products, the corporate accountability group As You Sow said."
— 2013 February 6, Stephanie Strom, “Study Looks at Particles Used in Food”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 08 Jun 2019:
"The GBR network organisation will have overall accountability to ensure the government's aims are achieved, setting strategic, planning and financial frameworks within which local business units will operate."
— 2025 November 12, David Stubbings, “Rail reform bill: pledge to rebuild trust of passengers”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 6:
"Just think about that: 1 in 4 had an error, and 1 in 20 was seriously wrong. And that is not good. If every 20th Frosty that Wendy’s sold turned out to be a cup of warm goat semen, we would want some accountability and we’d want it fast! At least freeze it!"
— 2016 April 10, “Credit Reports”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 3, episode 8, John Oliver (actor), via HBO:
"Levying a charge will not, by itself, guarantee accountability: witness the millions of dissatisfied customers of the private sector travel agents who book the wrong holiday, solicitors who over-charge, builders who do shoddy work, garages that misrepair cars, estate agents who mislead, shops that sell defective goods and refuse refunds, etc."
— 2000, Neil Bateman, Advocacy Skills for Health and Social Care Professionals, page 53:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In a democracy, elected officials must have ____ to the public for their actions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Transparent systems ensure greater ____ for elected officials.