responsibility
noun
re·spon·si·bil·i·ty
ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural responsibilities
1
: the quality or state of being responsible: such as
a
: moral, legal, or mental accountability
2
: something for which one is responsible : burden
has neglected his responsibilities
Examples of responsibility in a Sentence
… Landau's piece, examining the fan's, and the journalist's responsibility to rock stars …
—
Lawrence Dietz, Los Angeles Times Book Review, 23 May 1971
A great soprano has a responsibility to her public …
—Robert Evett, Atlantic, September 1970
The responsibility for engineering the line of cars which in 1908 evolved the immortal Model T …
—John Kenneth Galbraith, New York Times Book Review, 28 Feb. 1954
Anthony Burton had once said that this was your responsibility toward society.
—John P. Marquand, Atlantic, Nov. 1947
The boys denied any responsibility for the damage to the fence.
A terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The janitor has many responsibilities.
Mowing the lawn is your responsibility.
She has to deal with a lot of family and work responsibilities.
It is your responsibility to give the company two weeks notice if you decide to leave.
In her new position, she will have much more responsibility.
We have a responsibility to protect the environment.
The government's responsibility is to serve the public.
The principal has responsibility for 450 students and a staff of 35.
Lawrence Dietz, Los Angeles Times Book Review, 23 May 1971
A great soprano has a responsibility to her public …
—Robert Evett, Atlantic, September 1970
The responsibility for engineering the line of cars which in 1908 evolved the immortal Model T …
—John Kenneth Galbraith, New York Times Book Review, 28 Feb. 1954
Anthony Burton had once said that this was your responsibility toward society.
—John P. Marquand, Atlantic, Nov. 1947
The boys denied any responsibility for the damage to the fence.
A terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The janitor has many responsibilities.
Mowing the lawn is your responsibility.
She has to deal with a lot of family and work responsibilities.
It is your responsibility to give the company two weeks notice if you decide to leave.
In her new position, she will have much more responsibility.
We have a responsibility to protect the environment.
The government's responsibility is to serve the public.
The principal has responsibility for 450 students and a staff of 35.
Recent Examples on the Web
One controller normally focuses on helicopter traffic, the individual said, but those responsibilities were combined with another controller’s Wednesday night.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2025
Those who do not work are either disabled or having care taking responsibilities.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
And, presumably, in his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Patel, the nominee whose responsibilities are the most closely aligned with Trump’s agenda, will deflect, downplay, and deny.
—Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
This is how climate change contributed to the California wildfires
That increase in fire suppression needs has taken away from the Forest Service's other responsibilities, such as restoration, recreation, conservation and law enforcement, Safford said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for responsibility 
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Denise Chow, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2025
Those who do not work are either disabled or having care taking responsibilities.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
And, presumably, in his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Patel, the nominee whose responsibilities are the most closely aligned with Trump’s agenda, will deflect, downplay, and deny.
—Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
This is how climate change contributed to the California wildfires
That increase in fire suppression needs has taken away from the Forest Service's other responsibilities, such as restoration, recreation, conservation and law enforcement, Safford said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for responsibility
Dictionary Entries Near responsibility
Cite this Entry
“Responsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsibility. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
responsibility
noun
re·spon·si·bil·i·ty
ri-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural responsibilities
1
: the quality or state of being responsible
2
: the quality of being dependable
3
: something for which one is responsible
neglected his responsibilities
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