Responsibility

/rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or having control over someone.

It is my responsibility to ensure that the project is completed on time.

A moral obligation to behave correctly toward or in respect of others.

Parents have a responsibility to teach their children right from wrong.

An area of responsibility or authority.

As the team leader, her responsibilities include planning and organizing meetings.

A commitment to provide or take care of something.

He took on the responsibility of managing the budget for the event.

Late Middle English: from Old French 'responsabilité', from Latin 'responsabilitas', from 'responsabilis' (answerable).

take responsibility

To accept the consequences for one's actions.

shift responsibility

To pass on the obligation to someone else.

bear responsibility

To carry the load of responsibility.

accountability

The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.

liability

The state of being responsible for something, especially by law.

obligation

An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound.

adulting

He finally got a job and paid his own bills—he's really adulting now.

grown-up stuff

Dealing with taxes and insurance is just grown-up stuff.