the state or position of being responsible a person or thing for which one is responsible
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•spon•si•bil•i•ty /rɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪlɪti/USA pronunciation
n., pl. -ties.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the state or fact of being responsible:[uncountable]Will anyone assume responsibility for this?
- a burden placed upon one who is responsible:[countable]the responsibilities of being a father.
- a person or thing for which one is responsible:[countable]Child care is my responsibility.
- reliability or dependability, esp. in meeting payments:[uncountable]financial responsibility; a job requiring some responsibility.
re•spon•si•bil•i•ty
(ri spon′sə bil′i tē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ties.
- the state or fact of being responsible.
- an instance of being responsible:The responsibility for this mess is yours!
- a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible:the responsibilities of authority.
- a person or thing for which one is responsible:A child is a responsibility to its parents.
- reliability or dependability, esp. in meeting debts or payments.
- on one's own responsibility, on one's own initiative or authority:He changed the order on his own responsibility.
- respons(ible) + -ibility 1780–90
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged answerability, accountability.
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