an official examination and verification of accounts and records, especially of financial accounts.
a report or statement reflecting an audit; a final statement of account.
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.
Archaic. a judicial hearing.
Obsolete. an audience.
verb (used with object)
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.
to attend (classes, lectures, etc.) as an auditor.
to make an audit of (a building or other facility) to evaluate or improve its safety, efficiency, or the like.
verb (used without object)
to examine and verify an account or accounts by reference to vouchers.
Origin of audit
1400–50;late Middle Englishaudite < Latinaudītus the sense or act of hearing, equivalent to audī(re) to hear + -tus suffix of v. action
Related formsau·dit·a·ble, adjectivere·au·dit, noun, verbun·au·dit·ed, adjectivewell-au·dit·ed, adjective
early 15c., from Latin auditus "a hearing," past participle of audire "hear" (see audience). Official examination of accounts, which originally was an oral procedure.
audit
v.
mid-15c., from audit (n.). Related: Audited; auditing.
