audit

American  

[aw-dit] / ˈɔ dɪt /

noun

1. an official examination and verification of accounts and records, especially of financial accounts.

2. a report or statement reflecting an audit; a final statement of account.

3. the inspection or examination of a building or other facility to evaluate or improve its appropriateness, safety, efficiency, or the like.

   An energy audit can suggest ways to reduce home fuel bills.

4. Archaic. a judicial hearing.

5. Obsolete. an audience.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make an audit of; examine (accounts, records, etc.) for purposes of verification.

   The accountants audited the company's books at the end of the fiscal year.

2. to attend (classes, lectures, etc.) as an auditor.

3. to make an audit of (a building or other facility) to evaluate or improve its safety, efficiency, or the like.

verb (used without object)

1. to examine and verify an account or accounts by reference to vouchers.

audit British  

/ ˈɔːdɪt /

noun

1. 1. an inspection, correction, and verification of business accounts, conducted by an independent qualified accountant

   2. ( as modifier )

      audit report

2. an audited account

3. any thoroughgoing check or examination

4. archaic a hearing

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verb

1. to inspect, correct, and certify (accounts, etc)

2. to attend (classes, etc) as an auditor

audit Cultural  

1. The examination by an outside party of the accounts of an individual or corporation.

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Other Word Forms

• auditable adjective
• reaudit noun
• unaudited adjective
• well-audited adjective

Etymology

Origin of audit

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English audite, from Latin audītus “the sense or act of hearing,” noun derivative of audīre “to hear”

Example Sentences

It also adheres to a strict privacy policy and has passed multiple third-party audits.

From Salon

Everyone talks about “budgeting” — but I’ve found the real challenge is clearing the psychological hurdle to sitting down and auditing where your cash actually goes each month.

From MarketWatch

He transferred more than $60,000 to several accounts that he was told were linked to the central bank for auditing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Aside from the monetary penalty, the settlement requires Justin and Wonderful to halt any harassment or retaliation, undergo compliance audits and take other measures at the vineyard operations.

From Los Angeles Times

To make matters worse, stablecoin rival Tether announced it had hired a Big Four accounting firm to complete its first full independent audit, adding to chatter about the company’s potential U.S. expansion.

From Barron's

Related Words

• analysis
• check
• examination
• investigation
• review
• scrutiny
• survey
• verification