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

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

The Police Department has stopped posting crime numbers to its public website after rolling out a new recordkeeping system and changing the way it counts burglaries, assaults and other crimes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2024

Steinglass also reminded the jury that this case isn’t about Cohen, but about recordkeeping fraud.

From Slate • May 29, 2024

Union officials have said many discrepancies found in the audit could be due to recordkeeping or data entry errors.

From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2023

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