: relating to or being a method of accounting that recognizes income when earned and expenses when incurred regardless of when cash is received or disbursed (see disburse sense 1a) compare cash entry 2
Synonyms
Examples of accrual in a Sentence
Noun
had an accrual of $100 through interest on my savings account last year
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The earnings statement shows a sum of $19.4 million (£15.2 million) under the category of accruals and deferred income which refers to money a company receives for goods or services that haven't yet been delivered to the customer.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The two loan forgiveness plans would have created pathways to student debt relief for broad swaths of student loan borrowers, including those who have experienced runaway balance growth due to interest accrual, and people who are dealing with significant personal or financial hardships.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for accrual 
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Noun
The company identified a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting due to issues with expense recording and accruals.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The earnings statement shows a sum of $19.4 million (£15.2 million) under the category of accruals and deferred income which refers to money a company receives for goods or services that haven't yet been delivered to the customer.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The forbearance has suspended all payments and halted interest accrual for covered borrowers while the litigation continues.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The two loan forgiveness plans would have created pathways to student debt relief for broad swaths of student loan borrowers, including those who have experienced runaway balance growth due to interest accrual, and people who are dealing with significant personal or financial hardships.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for accrual
Dictionary Entries Near accrual
Cite this Entry
“Accrual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accrual. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
accrual
noun
ac·cru·al
ə-ˈkrü-əl 
1
: the action or process of accruing
claim must be brought within two years of the date of accrual
2
a
: something that accrues
especially
: an amount of money that periodically accumulates for a specific purpose (as payment of taxes or interest)
b
: something that has accrued during a specified period
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