accountability
Americannoun
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the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.
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Education. a policy of holding schools and teachers accountable for students' academic progress by linking such progress with funding for salaries, maintenance, etc.
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- nonaccountability noun
Etymology
Origin of accountability
First recorded in 1785–95; account(able) + -ability
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Actions targeting universities and educational institutions reflected concerns about institutional accountability, merit-based standards, and viewpoint diversity in academia.
From Los Angeles Times
"Governance arrangements are being developed transparently — in line with charity law, our fiduciary duties, and our moral purpose — to ensure proper oversight and accountability."
From BBC
While each case stands on its own legally, repeated allegations inevitably raise broader questions about power, accountability and how the entertainment industry responds when accusations accumulate around influential figures.
From Salon
The report stunned the Malaysian public, with some demanding accountability.
From BBC
The premier said the bill includes "accountability and oversight for the first time".
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
