accounting
noun
ac·count·ing
ə-ˈkau̇n-tiŋ 
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
The House of the Dragon Scorecard is an accounting of the events of this week’s episode, in which points are awarded to characters on a scale of 0 to 10.
—
Brian Grubb,
Vulture,
6 July 2026
Providing meals, groceries or some accounting assistance might be more useful to her than the $50.
—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
4 July 2026
The authors stress the figure should be viewed as an initial technical assessment rather than a final accounting.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
3 July 2026
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Brian Grubb,
Vulture,
6 July 2026
Providing meals, groceries or some accounting assistance might be more useful to her than the $50.
—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
4 July 2026
The authors stress the figure should be viewed as an initial technical assessment rather than a final accounting.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for accounting
Cite this Entry
“Accounting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accounting. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
accounting
noun
ac·count·ing
ə-ˈkau̇nt-iŋ
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 expenditures—Case & Comment
Case & Comment2
: the settlement by judicial action of the assets of a partnership (as upon dissolution)
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