account for

British  

verb

1. to give reasons for (an event, act, etc)

2. to make or provide a reckoning of (expenditure, payments, etc)

3. to be responsible for destroying, killing, or putting (people, aircraft, etc) out of action

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account for Idioms  

1. Be the determining factor in; cause. For example, The heat wave accounts for all this food spoilage , or Icy roads account for the increase in accidents .

2. Explain or justify, as in Jane was upset because her son couldn't account for the three hours between his last class and his arrival at home . Both of these related usages are derived from the literal meaning of the phrase, that is, “make a reckoning of an account.” [Second half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Pistachio trees account for more than 22% of tree nut bearing acres in California — only beaten by the state’s $5.66 billion almond industry.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

But that growth attracted competition; retailers expanded their shelf space, particularly at club chains, which account for more than 40% of BellRing’s sales, she noted.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

The nonpartisan Bureau of Governmental Research argued that the analysis failed to account for the greater complexity of cases in the state’s biggest city.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

CBS News reported that one of its journalists heard helicopters "throughout the night" and into Sunday after a "base-wide head-count" failed to account for the two soldiers.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

Elizabeth’s spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted Mr. Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen