Definition of "responsibility"

responsibility

/ɹɪˌspɒn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural responsibilities
1. The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable.
2. The state of being liable, culpable, or responsible for something in particular.
  Quotations
  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
  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
3. A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable.
  Quotations
  The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not to dominate the world
  April 12 1945, Harry S. Truman, Address before a Joint Session of the Congress
  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
4. (military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.
5. (military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual.