responsibility — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Responsibility is a heavy burden.

   More examples (1)

   If parents, teachers, and ministers conducted their responsibilities by following the ratings, children would have a steady diet of ice cream, school holidays, and no Sunday school.

2. The state of being liable, culpable, or responsible for something in particular.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   guilt

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   After all, it is undeniable that the B.R. standard coach scored highly in comparative trials with other European railway vehicles on the Continent a few years ago, so that B.R. civil engineers must share responsibility for any defects in its behaviour over here.

   The vast majority of American Jews not only greatly dislike President Trump but also believe he has made them less safe: according to a May 2019 poll, nearly three-quarters of Jewish voters believe American Jews are less secure under Trump than they were before, 71 percent disapprove of Trump’s overall job performance, and nearly 60 percent believe that he bears at least some responsibility for the synagogue shootings carried out by white nationalists in Pittsburgh and Poway.

3. A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   placecharge

   Examples

   Why didn't you clean the house? That was your responsibility!

   The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not to dominate the world

   More examples (1)

   The movie clearly and unmistakably gives us a character who understands the Bill of Rights, understands his legal responsibility as a police officer, and nevertheless takes retribution into his own hands.

4. A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable. The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable. The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to someone’s possession or supervision.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

   Synonyms

   dutyobligation

   Broader terms

   social control

   Examples

   we must instill a sense of duty in our children

2. the proper sphere or extent of your activities

   Synonyms

   province

   Broader terms

   spheredomainareaorbitfieldarena

   Examples

   it was his province to take care of himself

3. a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct

   Synonyms

   responsibleness

   Antonyms

   irresponsibility

   Broader terms

   trustworthinesstrustiness

   Examples

   he holds a position of great responsibility