responsibility

[ ri-spon-suh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural re·spon·si·bil·i·ties.

1. the state or fact of being responsible, answerable, or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management.

   Synonyms: answerability, accountability

2. an instance of being responsible:

   The responsibility for this mess is yours!

3. a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible:

   the responsibilities of authority.

4. a person or thing for which one is responsible:

   A child is a responsibility to their parents.

5. reliability or dependability, especially in meeting debts or payments.

responsibility

/ rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or position of being responsible
2. a person or thing for which one is responsible
3. the ability or authority to act or decide on one's own, without supervision

Other Words From

• non·re·spon·si·bil·i·ty noun plural nonresponsibilities
• pre·re·spon·si·bil·i·ty noun plural preresponsibilities
• self-re·spon·si·bil·i·ty noun
• su·per·re·spon·si·bil·i·ty noun plural superresponsibilities

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsibility¹

First recorded in 1780–90; respons(ible) + -ibility

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on one's own responsibility, on one's own initiative or authority:

   He changed the order on his own responsibility.

Example Sentences

The Office for Budget Responsibility and other independent analysts estimate the economy is 4% smaller over the past 15 years as a result.

From BBC

Mr Lumley said there were "too many incidents of bruising for it not to have been the result of neglect", adding anyone living with Charlie bore "criminal responsibility" for what happened to him.

From BBC

He said Mr Stockton called 999 shortly after he was left alone with Charlie in a "trusted position of responsibility" on the morning of 12 January, to say the boy had become "lifeless and floppy".

From BBC

I want to recall what’s been washed away by the pull of adulthood, what age and responsibility demand that we compromise, that we let go of.

From Los Angeles Times

Right now, the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council bears most of the responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authority
• burden
• duty
• guilt
• importance
• liability
• obligation
• power
• restraint
• trust