responsibility

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.

   Responsibility is a heavy burden.

2. 2
   noun

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

   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.

3. 3
   noun

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

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

4. 4
   noun

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

5. 5
   noun

   a form of trustworthiness

6. 6
   noun

   the proper sphere or extent of your activities

Etymology

From responsible + -ity. Although the components are of French origin, the compound appears to have been formed in English. Later-attested French responsabilité is modeled on the English word, and Italian responsabilità is in turn modeled on the French.