accountability
UK: əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti | US: əˌkaʊn.t̬əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i
n. the state of being responsible for one's actions or decisions, often with an obligation to report or explain them
n. (in governance) the obligation of individuals or organizations to be answerable for their conduct
The word "accountability" combines "account," derived from Old French aconter (to count/report), rooted in Latin computare (to calculate), with the suffix "-ability," indicating a capacity or state. The fusion reflects the concept of being answerable through clear reporting or justification—a logical extension from literal "counting" to figurative responsibility.
Transparency strengthens accountability in public institutions.
The new policy aims to increase corporate accountability for environmental damage.
Leaders must embrace accountability to build trust with their teams.
The lack of accountability in the project led to repeated failures.
Personal accountability is crucial for professional growth.