audit

[aw-dit]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR audit ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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 English audite < Latin audītus 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for auditing

verify, investigate, analyze, scrutinize, examine, report, review, balance, survey, check

Examples from the Web for auditing

Contemporary Examples of auditing

Which is more responsible: too big to fail, or auditing the Fed?
The GOP Flees to the Cleve
James Poulos
July 9, 2014
Do you really trust the people who are tapping your phone and auditing your taxes to take over your medical records?
IRS, DOJ, and Benghazi Expose Limits of Obama’s Big-Government Vision
Stuart Stevens
May 15, 2013
Auditing is an integral part of advancement in the ranks of Scientology.
Scientology Glossary: Thetans, Engrams, Sea Org, & More Key Terms
David Sessions
July 6, 2012
In the auditing process, adherents may disclose details of their personal life, and a record of the audit is placed in a file.
Will Scientology Sway Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’s Divorce?
Matthew DeLuca
July 4, 2012
“There are no meaningful boundaries” in auditing, Ross said.
Will Scientology Sway Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’s Divorce?
Matthew DeLuca
July 4, 2012

Historical Examples of auditing

He returned to the smoking compartment, where the Backslid Baptist was auditing his tips.
Lady Luck
Hugh Wiley
And you can hide the discrepancy on your books from the auditing committee?
The Landloper
Holman Day
He was blandly present sometimes at an auditing of accounts.
At His Gates, Vol. 1(of 3)
Margaret Oliphant
The Government maintained an auditing organization at each job.
America's Munitions 1917-1918
Benedict Crowell
I have almost finished up this work of auditing and clearing the estate.
Bohemian Days
Geo. Alfred Townsend

British Dictionary definitions for auditing

audit

noun

an inspection, correction, and verification of business accounts, conducted by an independent qualified accountant
(as modifier)audit report

US an audited account

any thoroughgoing check or examination

archaic a hearing

verb

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

US and Canadian to attend (classes, etc) as an auditor

Word Origin for audit

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for auditing

audit

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

mid-15c., from audit (n.). Related: Audited; auditing.

auditing in Culture

audit

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