accountability

[uh-koun-tuh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.

2. Education.,  a policy of holding schools and teachers accountable for students' academic progress by linking such progress with funding for salaries, maintenance, etc.

Other Word Forms

• nonaccountability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accountability¹

First recorded in 1785–95; account(able) + -ability

Example Sentences

The image-conscious two-way player doesn’t like to say to reporters directly that he won’t speak, as doing so after, say, a hitless game could make him look as if he is skirting accountability.

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"This further pushes the Court's deliberations and decisions out of view of public scrutiny and shields it from accountability."

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They also said the president's direct and indirect influence over the Higher Committee and the electoral colleges rendered the elections "symbolic at best, devoid of their democratic purpose of ensuring representation and accountability".

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When Gray tried to do this in the 1970s, accountability still held force, and Gray left office in disgrace.

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"Today is about accountability and justice," she said.

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Related Words

• liability 

When To Use

What does accountability mean?

Accountability is the obligation to explain, justify, and take responsibility for one's actions.Accountability is the state of being accountable, meaning responsible for something or obligated to answer to someone, such as a person with more authority, like a boss.The word accountability is often used in the context of individuals, especially in the term personal accountability. It is also commonly used in the context of institutions or people that are responsible to the public, such as the government, its agencies, politicians, and the media. Accountability is often discussed with transparency and consequences. This typically involves keeping people and organizations accountable by making their actions visible and having consequences when those actions are not acceptable.Example: The system of checks and balances is intended to ensure accountability among the different branches of government.