Accountability

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /É™.ËŒkaÊŠn.tÉ™.ˈbɪl.É™t.i/

Origin

From accountable + -ity.

Full definition of accountability

Noun

1. The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account; accountableness; responsible for; answerable for.
• 1946, Winston Churchill, S:Sinews of Peace, The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American Democracy. For with primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future.
2. (military) The obligation imposed by law or lawful order or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping accurate record of property, documents, or funds. The person having this obligation may or may not have actual possession of the property, documents, or funds. Accountability is concerned primarily with records, while responsibility is concerned primarily with custody, care, and safekeeping. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms)

Usage notes

Accountability is condemned by some as jargon of the political élite and referring to a mechanism for democratic good-governance that is unworkable in practice.

She Literally Exploded, page 3

Synonyms

• accountableness