audit

American  

[aw-dit] / ˈɔ dɪt /

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 British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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

Etymology

Origin of audit

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

Example Sentences

However, the state did adopt a moratorium on issuing new hospice licenses, which came after a Los Angeles Times investigation and a state audit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Yes, it does, according to the audit report.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Trade Desk told Barron’s that “any notion that TTD failed an audit is not true.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Surfshark and NordVPN have rolled out major changes this year, including enhancements to protocols, expanded server networks and updated audit reports on their no-logs policies.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

A recent audit discovered that the police in Atlanta were radically underreporting crime since the early 1990s.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

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