current account

American  

noun

1. Also called open account.  an account of credits, debits, receipts, and expenditures between two individuals or companies, usually providing for settlement at the end of specified accounting periods.

2. (in certain foreign countries) a checking account.

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current account British  

noun

1. Canadian name: chequing account.  US name: checking account.  an account at a bank or building society against which cheques may be drawn at any time

2. economics that part of the balance of payments composed of the balance of trade and the invisible balance Compare capital account

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Etymology

Origin of current account

First recorded in 1840–50

Compare meaning

How does current-account compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• current account vs. capital account

Example Sentences

His most recent academic work relates to how reputational concerns impact the monetary policy External link of central banks and how current account deficits impact future generations External link.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Analysts at French investment banking firm Natixis Research published a report Thursday which warned that declining current account surpluses will weaken Asian currencies, raising inflation expectations and lead to tighter financial conditions.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

“The good news is that Asia starts from a strong position, given most countries run current account surpluses and have ample FX reserves and robust AI-led tech exports,” Nomura says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

It may also mildly support the rupiah via higher export volumes and a stronger current account, he reckons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

So if I buy a bar of gold worth £500,1 credit £500 to my current account, and I debit £500 to my list of assets.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• checking account
• deposit
• savings account