accounting
Americannoun
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the theory and system of setting up, maintaining, and auditing the books of a firm; art of analyzing the financial position and operating results of a business house from a study of its sales, purchases, overhead, etc. (distinguished from bookkeeping).
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a detailed report of the financial state or transactions of a person or entity.
an accounting of the estate.
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the rendering or submission of such a report.
noun
Etymology
Origin of accounting
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; account + -ing 1
Explanation
Accounting is the act of computing something, usually by dealing with numbers. If you were very good at math in high school, you might think about going into accounting. You can see the word count within accounting, which is one way to remember that the word has to do with keeping track of numbers — usually in relation to financial transactions. Balancing your checkbook is a form of accounting. Large firms often hire accountants to keep track of their earnings and spending. Accounting can also more generally mean explaining. Someone who decides to wear shorts to the prom is likely going to have some serious accounting to do!
Vocabulary lists containing accounting
Fish in a Tree
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Century 21 Accounting, 9e, Chapters 1-3
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"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
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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.
But the balance is lopsided, with Chinese exports accounting for 75 percent of that.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
The U.S. remains the largest, with Saudi Arabia accounting for 12% of all sales, the institute said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
The methane budget is essentially an accounting system for the gas.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
After accounting for taxes, this family would have just 10% of gross income left for all of their other spending, including “wants” and investing for retirement.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
My dad is an auditor for a big accounting firm.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
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.
