accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇n-tiŋ How to pronounce accounting (audio)
1
: the system of recording and summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing, verifying, and reporting the results
also : the principles and procedures of this system
studied accounting as a freshman
2
a
: work done in accounting or by accountants
b
: an instance of applied accounting or of the settling or presenting of accounts
3
: account sense 2
They were required to provide a detailed accounting of their actions.

Examples of accounting in a Sentence

what accounting can you give for your bizarre actions on the night in question?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mental accounting often leads people to spend unexpected windfalls, such as lottery winnings or bonuses, on non-essential goods and experiences while treating regular income more conservatively. Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 But, of course, there are also teaching positions, leadership jobs, positions in accounting, technology, marketing, development and housing. Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 Amid all that accounting, there will be new mortgages, rental agreements or other temporary housing paperwork. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 The bigger accounting error was about $470,000 in expenditures not originally counted for the quarter. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for accounting 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acountynge "reckoning, calculation," from gerund of accounten "to account entry 2"

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accounting was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near accounting

Cite this Entry

“Accounting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accounting. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

accounting

noun
ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇nt-iŋ How to pronounce accounting (audio)
1
: the system or practice of recording the amounts of money made and spent by a person or business
2
: a statement explaining one's conduct : account sense 5a

Legal Definition

accounting

noun
ac·​count·​ing
1
: an often court-ordered presentment or examination of accounts
a complete accounting would be necessary to determine the nature of the expendituresCase & Comment
2
: the settlement by judicial action of the assets of a partnership (as upon dissolution)

More from Merriam-Webster on accounting

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