recordkeeping

American  

[rek-erd-kee-ping] / ˈrɛk ərdˌki pɪŋ /

noun

1. the maintenance of a history of one's activities, as financial dealings, by entering data in ledgers or journals, putting documents in files, etc.

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Usage

What does recordkeeping mean? Recordkeeping is the act of keeping track of the history of a person’s or organization’s activities, generally by creating and storing consistent, formal records. Recordkeeping is keeping records, or ”units of preserved information in some permanent form (written documents, photographs, recordings, etc.).” Record can also refer to a collection of such items or a history in general. Recordkeeping is typically used in the context of official accounting, especially for businesses or other organizations. Example: The company’s recordkeeping was very extensive, with each employee’s hiring, pay, and job performance thoroughly documented.

Etymology

Origin of recordkeeping

First recorded in 1960–65; record + keep + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

recordkeeping

Per the act, the FDA was ordered by Congress to establish traceability standards for high-risk foods, but the food industry pushed back, asking for additional time to comply with recordkeeping and coordination demands, citing complexity.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

That winter brought the second-rainiest three-day period for downtown L.A. since recordkeeping began in 1877, and hundreds of landslides were reported around L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

Last year, GKN Aerospace settled a lawsuit with the Southern California Air Quality Management District by paying $909,935 for violations of recordkeeping and nitrogen oxide emissions, without admitting liability.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

A handful of trial firms are leading the charge, specializing in cookie-cutter cases that claim operators aren’t administering plans for the “sole benefit” of workers—alleging excessive investment or recordkeeping fees, or deficient investment performance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025

He wore them every day to work at the administrative offices where he was in charge of meticulous recordkeeping.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh