Bookkeeping. an account book or digital file of final entry, in which business transactions are recorded.
The Controller must oversee, review, and approve of all posting of financial activity into the General Ledger.
Computers. a decentralized public database of permanent records of financial transactions, distributed over a network and typically having the form of a blockchain, used especially in cryptocurrency systems.
When users send or receive a payment in bitcoin, network nodes verify the transaction and then record it in a shared public ledger.
Building Trades.
a horizontal board attached to a wall to support the ends of the joists of another structure such as a deck, porch, roof, etc..
As the cause of the porch’s collapse, the inspector cited a ledger attached with improper screws.
(in scaffolding) a horizontal board or metal tube attached to uprights, either to support the ends of the boards of a platform or for use as a handrail.
Arrange the ledgers so the platforms slope slightly outwards, carrying rain away from the face of the building.
Also called ledger stone. a flat slab of stone laid over a grave or tomb.
I had a Bible verse engraved on his ledger, ending with the words “Rest in peace.”
Angling, Chiefly British. Also leger a lead sinker with a hole in one end through which the line passes, enabling the bait and the sinker to rest on the bottom and allowing the fish to take the bait without detecting the sinker.
If fishing for bass in particular, the ledger is preferred.
accounting the principal book in which the commercial transactions of a company are recorded
a flat horizontal slab of stone
a horizontal scaffold pole fixed to two upright poles for supporting the outer ends of putlogs
angling
a wire trace that allows the weight to rest on the bottom and the bait to float freely
( as modifier )
ledger tackle
First recorded in 1475–85; earlier legger “book,” probably equivalent to legg(en) “to set down, lay” + -er noun suffix; see lay 1, -er 1, ledge
A ledger is kind of like a diary, but for money. It's a book for keeping track of expenses, profits, and other financial matters. A ledger is an accounting journal used to keep track of money. Businesses — or their accountants — keep careful ledgers so they know how much money is coming in and going out. If you've ever heard the expression "cook the books" — meaning cheat financially by making things up — the "books" are ledgers. If you like numbers and money, maybe you should become an accountant so you can help people with their ledgers.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the other side of the ledger, sales to Chinese customers are a headwind.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
It was Roberts who started putting the pieces together for this show after finding a ledger in a flat file in Saar’s studio.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
She displayed images of the U.S. indictment, questioning evidence such as photographs of a redacted handwritten ledger showing payments.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
The claimants had a leaked "ledger" of Associated Newspaper payments, invoices from some private investigators and extracts from reporters notepads with cryptic handwritten details of payments to sources.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
Mr. Washington comes back with a ledger and asks us to make our mark.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
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.
