responsibility

plural responsibilities

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

   Responsibility is a heavy burden.

   1 more example

   If parents, teachers, and ministers conducted their responsibilities by following the ratings, children would have a steady diet of ice cream, school holidays, and no Sunday school.

   1961 May 9, Newton N. Minow, Television and the Public Interest

2. countableuncountableThe 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.

   1960 December, “Talking of Trains: The riding of B.R. coaches”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 705–706

   1 more example

   The vast majority of American Jews not only greatly dislike President Trump but also believe he has made them less safe: according to a May 2019 poll, nearly three-quarters of Jewish voters believe American Jews are less secure under Trump than they were before, 71 percent disapprove of Trump’s overall job performance, and nearly 60 percent believe that he bears at least some responsibility for the synagogue shootings carried out by white nationalists in Pittsburgh and Poway.

   2020 March, Joshua Leifer, “Led Astray”, in The Baffler, number 50

   Synonyms: guilt

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

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

   2 more examples

   The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not to dominate the world

   1945 April 12, Harry S. Truman, Address before a Joint Session of the Congress

   The movie clearly and unmistakably gives us a character who understands the Bill of Rights, understands his legal responsibility as a police officer, and nevertheless takes retribution into his own hands.

   1971, Roger Ebert, “Dirty Harry”, in Chicago Sun-Times

   Synonyms: place, charge

   1. countableuncountableThe obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion.

      Synonyms: place, charge

   2. countableuncountableThe obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to someone’s possession or supervision.

      Synonyms: place, charge