account for (someone or something)
phrasal verb
accounted for (someone or something); accounting for (someone or something); accounts for (someone or something)
1
: to show what happened to (someone or something) : know where (something or someone) is
We have to account for the time we spend on each activity.
The government couldn't account for millions of dollars of the taxpayers' money.
Is everyone accounted for?
2
: to destroy or kill (someone or something)
Enemy fighters have accounted for most of our bombers, Sir.
3
chiefly British
: to defeat or beat (someone or something)
We accounted for the challengers 3–2.
Examples of account for (someone or something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 18,000 Teamsters union members who voted to authorize the strike account for 8% of Costco's mostly non-union employees.
—
Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Bots Will Become the Hidden Influencers of the Digital World
In 2025, bots are expected to account for over 50% of internet traffic, posing significant risks in areas like elections and the spread of conspiracy theories.
—Sarwant Singh, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Analysts say the North American market is now likely to be a key target for brands in 2025, with BofA forecasting U.S. shoppers to account for more than 50% of sector-wide revenue growth this year.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
However, the Jayhawks also have quality guards that TCU will have to account for.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for account for (someone or something) 
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Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Bots Will Become the Hidden Influencers of the Digital World
In 2025, bots are expected to account for over 50% of internet traffic, posing significant risks in areas like elections and the spread of conspiracy theories.
—Sarwant Singh, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Analysts say the North American market is now likely to be a key target for brands in 2025, with BofA forecasting U.S. shoppers to account for more than 50% of sector-wide revenue growth this year.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
However, the Jayhawks also have quality guards that TCU will have to account for.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for account for (someone or something)
Dictionary Entries Near account for (someone or something)
account for (someone or something)
Cite this Entry
“Account for (someone or something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/account%20for%20%28someone%20or%20something%29. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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