responsibility
NounUS[ree-spon-suh-bil-uh-tee]/riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti/6 syllables
Open English WordNet
Noun (3)responsibilities
- the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force“we must instill a sense of duty in our children”“every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty — John D.Rockefeller Jr”Synonyms: dutyobligationType of social controlKinds requirement, prerequisite, job, guardianship, burden of proof, moral obligation, civic duty, white man's burden, incumbency, noblesse oblige +4 more
- the proper sphere or extent of your activities“it was his province to take care of himself”Synonyms: provinceType of sphere, domainKinds ecclesiastical province
- a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct“he holds a position of great responsibility”Synonyms: responsiblenessOpposite irresponsibilityType of trustworthiness, trustinessKinds dependability, accountability, faultPart of character, fiberAttribute of responsible, irresponsible
Word of the day · Sep 28About this word
onerousadjective
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Re·spon′si·bil′i·ty (r?-sp?n′s?-b?l′?-t?), noun; pl. -ties (-t…z).
Origin: Cf. F. responsabilité.
1. The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation.
2. That for which anyone is responsible or accountable; as, the resonsibilities of power.
3. Ability to answer in payment; means of paying.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54
The Devil's Dictionary
RESPONSIBILITY, n. A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one's neighbor. In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star.
Alas, things ain't what we should see If Eve had let that apple be; And many a feller which had ought To set with monarchses of thought, Or play some rosy little game With battle-chaps on fields of fame, Is downed by his unlucky star And hollers: "Peanuts! -- here you are!" "The Sturdy Beggar"