responsibility

The word “responsibility” means the state of being accountable for something, or the duty to deal with it. In plain terms, being the person who is in charge of, or accountable for, something.

“Responsibility” is pronounced rih-spon-suh-BIHL-ih-tee (/ɹɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ in IPA).

Here is “responsibility” used in a sentence: “As team leader, she has responsibility for the whole project.”

Words with a similar meaning to “responsibility” include responsibleness.

“Responsibility” is a noun.

“Responsibility” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Responsibility is the duty to do a task or take care of something — the ongoing job of handling it. Accountability is answering for the outcome once it's done, taking the credit or the blame. You can share responsibility across a team, but accountability usually rests with one person who owns the result.

Common kinds include personal responsibility (your own choices and duties), professional responsibility (obligations at work), legal responsibility (duties enforced by law), moral responsibility (answering for right and wrong), and collective or social responsibility (shared duties toward a group or society). Most people carry several of these at once.

Yes. Responsibility is widely regarded as a learned trait rather than an inborn one. Children develop it through chores, consequences, and trust given gradually. Adults strengthen it by taking ownership of tasks and honoring commitments. Because it grows with practice and accountability, both parents and workplaces actively cultivate it.

Responsibility builds trust, since people rely on those who follow through on their duties. It underpins teamwork, safety, and fairness, because shared tasks only work when each person owns their part. On a personal level, taking responsibility gives you control over outcomes rather than leaving them to chance or blame.