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
Tech Stack Behind Smart Dashboards Financial dashboards have seen integration with banking APIs, investment platforms, and accounting software.
—
William Jones, Ascend Agency, 7 Feb. 2026
Here are organizational features to look out for in accounting software.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
One set accounting for pace, the other not.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm Lutz and Carr.
—Rob Maaddi, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
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William Jones, Ascend Agency, 7 Feb. 2026
Here are organizational features to look out for in accounting software.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
One set accounting for pace, the other not.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm Lutz and Carr.
—Rob Maaddi, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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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