audit

[aw-dit]

noun

1. an official examination and verification of accounts and records, especially of financial accounts.

2. a report or statement reflecting an audit; a final statement of account.

3. the inspection or examination of a building or other facility to evaluate or improve its appropriateness, safety, efficiency, or the like.

   An energy audit can suggest ways to reduce home fuel bills.

4. Archaic.,  a judicial hearing.

5. Obsolete.,  an audience.

verb (used with object)

1. to make an audit of; examine (accounts, records, etc.) for purposes of verification.

   The accountants audited the company's books at the end of the fiscal year.

2. to attend (classes, lectures, etc.) as an auditor.

3. to make an audit of (a building or other facility) to evaluate or improve its safety, efficiency, or the like.

verb (used without object)

1. to examine and verify an account or accounts by reference to vouchers.

audit

/ ˈɔːdɪt /

noun

1. 1. an inspection, correction, and verification of business accounts, conducted by an independent qualified accountant

   2. ( as modifier )

      audit report

2. an audited account

3. any thoroughgoing check or examination

4. archaic,  a hearing

verb

1. to inspect, correct, and certify (accounts, etc)

2. to attend (classes, etc) as an auditor

audit

1. The examination by an outside party of the accounts of an individual or corporation.

Other Word Forms

• auditable adjective
• reaudit noun
• unaudited adjective
• well-audited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of audit¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English audite, from Latin audītus “the sense or act of hearing,” noun derivative of audīre “to hear”

Word History and Origins

Origin of audit¹

C15: from Latin audītus a hearing, from audīre to hear

Example Sentences

Less than three months after the audit letter, in early April, the museum’s director suddenly resigned, and trustee defections began.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Price encourages a “fun audit”: noticing which activities reliably put you into that state of flow.

Read more on Salon

Insurers said they regularly audit their networks to verify accuracy and work hard to ensure members get needed medical care.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But some Labour MPs are concerned the government has not published its China audit, which it carried out as part of an election manifesto commitment.

Read more on BBC

Mr Bhatia advises using a robust password that mixes letters, numbers, and symbols and cannot be found in a dictionary, and recommends periodic audits by a cybersecurity professional.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• analysis 
• check 
• examination 
• investigation 
• review 
• scrutiny 
• survey 
• verification