responsibility

noun

re·​spon·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce responsibility (audio)
plural responsibilities
1
: the quality or state of being responsible: such as
a
: moral, legal, or mental accountability
2
: something for which one is responsible : burden
has neglected his responsibilities

Examples of responsibility in a Sentence

… Landau's piece, examining the fan's, and the journalist's responsibility to rock stars … Lawrence Dietz, Los Angeles Times Book Review, 23 May 1971
A great soprano has a responsibility to her public … Robert Evett, Atlantic, September 1970
The responsibility for engineering the line of cars which in 1908 evolved the immortal Model T … John Kenneth Galbraith, New York Times Book Review, 28 Feb. 1954
Anthony Burton had once said that this was your responsibility toward society. John P. Marquand, Atlantic, Nov. 1947
The boys denied any responsibility for the damage to the fence. A terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. The janitor has many responsibilities. Mowing the lawn is your responsibility. She has to deal with a lot of family and work responsibilities. It is your responsibility to give the company two weeks notice if you decide to leave. In her new position, she will have much more responsibility. We have a responsibility to protect the environment. The government's responsibility is to serve the public. The principal has responsibility for 450 students and a staff of 35.
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.
Decisions that all of us have to be able to take full responsibility for. Steve Megargee, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024 On his touchdown: My only responsibility on that play was to get covered by the safety so Christian scored a touchdown. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 The program focuses on college readiness, etiquette, public speaking, financial responsibility and mental health awareness, among other skills. Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 Redirecting focus to the task at hand can help alleviate political tensions and keep everyone aligned with their professional responsibilities. Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for responsibility 

Word History

Etymology

see responsible

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of responsibility was in 1642

Dictionary Entries Near responsibility

Cite this Entry

“Responsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsibility. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

responsibility

noun
re·​spon·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce responsibility (audio)
plural responsibilities
1
: the quality or state of being responsible
2
: the quality of being dependable
3
: something for which one is responsible
neglected his responsibilities

More from Merriam-Webster on responsibility

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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