account for

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

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

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

Kayes is said to account for approximately 80% of the country's gold production, and is also deemed Mali's "gateway to Senegal".

From BBC

To feed her family, Sanaa needs two bags a day - an expense of 9,000 pounds, before accounting for any other food.

From BBC

Already, funding the state pension accounted for almost £140bn in the last financial year, making it the second biggest claim on the public purse after health spending.

From BBC

Women account for just over half of all new cases, but men make up the majority of deaths.

From BBC

The outlet said Samuels modified the terms of the singer’s release to account for the ongoing treatment.

From Los Angeles Times