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

The move followed two critical audits that found LAHSA, a joint city-county agency, failed to properly track its funds and programs, leaving them vulnerable to waste and fraud.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The cut was part of a preliminary 2026 budget the U.S. audit regulator submitted to the SEC in recent weeks, people familiar with the matter said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Every government shutdown is an efficiency audit in disguise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Libby Jones, General Manager for Overseas Health and Safety at TUI, explained the company audits the compliance of hotels against safety standards in what's known as the "blue book".

Read more on BBC

Flexport’s tools include an AI-powered auditor for new customers that analyzes prior customs entries for inaccuracies and potential audit flags as well as ways to reduce future duties.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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