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

While people were happy there was “finally some accountability” with the arrest, she said, conversations in the Palisades quickly turned to: “Had the city been prepared, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even if schools agree to it, moreover, there is little accountability if some teachers refuse to teach it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This week, as he struggles vainly against the rising tide of accountability, we’ve seen writ large across the national stage to what lengths his fear will lead him.

Read more on Salon

Financial advisers also suggest finding an “accountability partner” — a spouse, friend or family member to share purchase decisions with whose role is to talk you out of acting impulsively.

Read more on MarketWatch

There were organizations deeply committed to the work—Team Africa Rising, and the UCI’s World Cycling Centre Africa, among others—but there was a frequent need for better coaching, training, equipment, and accountability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.