audit

UK: /ˈɔːdɪt/ US: /ˈɔdɪt/ ,(ô′dit)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

au•dit /ˈɔdɪt/   n. 

[countable]
1. Business an official examination and inspection of financial accounts and records:
   an audit of the university's expenditures.
2. the inspection of something, as a building, to determine its safety, efficiency, or the like.

v. 

3. Business to make an official examination of (accounts, records, etc.):
   [~ + object] They audited our tax returns last year.
4. Education to attend (classes, lectures, etc.) as an auditor: [~ + object]
   She audited the English class.
   [no object]
   She's not officially registered, so she's just auditing.
5. [~ + object] to make an examination or inspection of (a building or other facility) to check safety or efficiency.

See -aud-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

au•dit  (ô′dit), n. 

1. Business an official examination and verification of accounts and records, esp. of financial accounts.
2. Business 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. [Obs.] an audience.

v.t. 

6. Business 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.
7. Education to attend (classes, lectures, etc.) as an auditor.
8. to make an audit of (a building or other facility) to evaluate or improve its safety, efficiency, or the like.

v.i. 

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

• Latin audītus the sense or act of hearing, equivalent. to audī(re) to hear + -tus suffix of verb, verbal action
• late Middle English audite 1400–50

au′dit•a•ble, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

audit / ˈɔːdɪt/ noun

1. an inspection, correction, and verification of business accounts, conducted by an independent qualified accountant
2. (as modifier): audit report
3. an audited account
4. any thoroughgoing check or examination

verb

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

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin audītus a hearing, from audīre to hear