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accountability

/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪlɪɾi/
/əˈkaʊntəbɪlɪti/
IPA guide

Other forms: accountabilities

If you take responsibility for your own actions, you show accountability. Stepping up and admitting it when you break something shows accountability.

Accountability is a noun that describes accepting responsibility, and it can be personal or very public. A government has accountability for decisions and laws affecting its citizens; an individual has accountability for acts and behaviors. Sometimes, though, taking accountability means admitting you made a mistake. Punishment may result, but accountability shows ownership and a willingness to admit mistakes.

Definitions of accountability
  1. noun
    responsibility to someone or for some activity
    see moresee less
    type of:
    responsibility, responsibleness
    a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct
Pronunciation
US
/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪlɪɾi/
UK
/əˈkaʊntəbɪlɪti/
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