account for
Britishverb
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to give reasons for (an event, act, etc)
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to make or provide a reckoning of (expenditure, payments, etc)
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to be responsible for destroying, killing, or putting (people, aircraft, etc) out of action
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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 .
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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]
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.
Alibaba expects AI-related product revenue to account for 50% of its cloud unit’s external revenue in about a year.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Researchers say the findings could help explain why women account for nearly two thirds of Alzheimer's cases in the United States.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2026
“This officer betrayed the public, betrayed the inmates, and betrayed the badge. My office will hold corrupt correctional officers to account for their behavior.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Data centers account for 28% of its electricity sales in Virginia, at least five times as high a percentage as the average utility.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
And maybe it can help account for how little I’ve been seen in Peeta’s company since the cameras left.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
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.
