current account
Americannoun
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Also called open account. an account of credits, debits, receipts, and expenditures between two individuals or companies, usually providing for settlement at the end of specified accounting periods.
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(in certain foreign countries) a checking account.
noun
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Canadian name: chequing account. US name: checking account. an account at a bank or building society against which cheques may be drawn at any time
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economics that part of the balance of payments composed of the balance of trade and the invisible balance Compare capital account
Etymology
Origin of current account
First recorded in 1840–50
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the past quarter, the U.S. current account deficit was $190.7 billion.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
The won has depreciated almost 6% against the dollar this year, despite similar yields BX:AMBMKKR-10Y, lower inflation, a huge current account surplus and record exports.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
The rupee's slide comes as India faces a widening current account deficit driven by costly energy imports.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
A weaker rupee makes imports costlier and exports more competitive, helping narrow the current account deficit over time.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
If I borrow £500, then £500 is a debit to my current account, and a credit to my list of liabilities.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
