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

Miller also leads her department’s real estate group, whose responsibilities include evaluating surplus and underutilized properties — at the request of the City Council — that have potential for redevelopment.

From Los Angeles Times

He got photographed, smiling with the man who he had said “bears responsibility” for what happened when Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol.

From Salon

ICC judges said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe the three men bore "criminal responsibility" for crimes during the war between Israel and Hamas.

From BBC

The warrants, for alleged criminal responsibility for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war, prompted fury in Israel, which like the United States does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

From Los Angeles Times

Profit takes priority over social responsibility in ESG funds, critics say.

From Salon

Related Words

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