responsibility

• IPA^(key): /ɹɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪlɪti/

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responsibility (countable and uncountable, plural responsibilities)

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

   Responsibility is a heavy burden.

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

   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 - Harry S. Truman

3. (military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.
4. (military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual.

• responsibleness (may be considered nonstandard)

• see respond

• accountability

• responsibility in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• responsibility in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• Feltus, C.; Petit, M. (2009). "Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment", Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE ), Fukuoka, 2009. Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment