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.

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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

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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.

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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

When a tiny nonprofit jumps from a few million dollars to nearly $200 million in reimbursements, a treasurer can demand audits and data checks before authorizing another dime.

From The Wall Street Journal

Job vacancy rates have increased since 2019 at the three facilities examined in the audit, as has the state’s reliance on pricey temporary workers.

From Los Angeles Times

The district agreed to extensive training for staff, training for students and their parents, and a thorough audit of reported harassment for two school years.

From Salon

He had also ordered a third-party audit of the programs to look for signs of “suspicious billing activity.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Datasection is just one of five public companies audited by Amaterasu over the past year, according to Tokyo Stock Exchange data.

From Barron's

Related Words

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