audit

[ aw-dit ]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

1. to inspect, correct, and certify (accounts, etc)
2. to attend (classes, etc) as an auditor

audit

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

Other Words From

• audit·a·ble adjective
• re·audit noun verb
• un·audit·ed adjective
• well-audit·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of audit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of audit¹

C15: from Latin audītus a hearing, from audīre to hear

Example Sentences

The government has commissioned an environmental audit of the impact of the oil industry, but the results are yet to be made public more than a year later than expected.

From BBC

Both are set up for adults over 50 to audit a variety of classes from art and concert music to political science and occupational training.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the issues addressed by HH: the ability of the city controller to conduct financial audits and the expansion of the city attorney’s subpoena powers.

From Los Angeles Times

Cyber Ninjas had, up until the audit, done occasional work providing security measures for random individual apps, offering this service through a website that featured people wearing actual ninja costumes and wielding katanas.

From Salon

Would Trump, given a second term, continue the Biden administration’s efforts to make sure that the IRS isn’t disproportionately auditing the taxes of poor people?

From Salon

Related Words

• analyze
• examine
• investigate
• scrutinize
• verify