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”

Explanation

An audit is a thorough counting, review, or assessment of a situation or collection of things. Before baking cookies, you'd better make an audit of the ingredients available to see whether there is enough sugar and butter. The most common use of the word audit is with the Internal Revenue Service, which sometimes performs an audit of a taxpayer’s finances to see whether that taxpayer has accurately reported his or her income. It can also be used in this context as a verb. It's easy to get nervous if the IRS is planning to audit you! You can also audit a class if you attend but don't pay for it. Just don't think that you'll get credit towards graduation from that.

Example Sentences

The firm audits about 10% of companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to an Ideagen Audit Analytics report from March.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Academics and environmental groups have said they are "delighted" by the recommendations, made by the House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Audit your inbox: Search your email for the words “sale” or “deal” and unsubscribe from the five retailers you shop at the most.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Although last year, the National Audit Office said those previous efforts by the Home Office had not improved outcomes for victims or the safety of women and girls more widely.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Explains provisions of Exchequer and Public Audit bill.

From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone (Vol 2 of 3) by Morley, John

Related Words

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