Meaning of “responsibility” in the English Dictionary

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"responsibility" in English

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responsibilitynoun

uk ​ /rɪˌspɒn.sɪˈbɪl.ə.ti/ us ​ /rɪˌspɑːn.səˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/

responsibility noun (DUTY)

B2 [ C or U ] something that it is your job or duty to deal with:

[ + to infinitive ] It's her responsibility to ensure the project finishes on time.
She takes her responsibilities as a nurse very seriously.
have responsibility

› to be in a position of authority over someone and to have a duty to make certain that particular things are done:

Who has responsibility here?
Jenny, you have responsibility for collecting up the books after the class.
have a responsibility to sb

› to have a duty to work for or help someone who is in a position of authority over you:

The company says it cannot cut its prices any more because it has a responsibility to its shareholders.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

responsibility noun (BLAME)

B2 [ U ] blame for something that has happened:

Terrorists have claimed responsibility for (= stated that they caused) yesterday's bomb attack.
The minister took/accepted full responsibility for (= admitted that he was to blame for) the disaster and resigned.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

act/do sth on your own responsibility

(Definition of “responsibility” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"responsibility" in American English

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responsibilitynoun

us ​ /rɪˌspɑn·səˈbɪl·ɪ·t̬i/

responsibility noun (DUTY)

› [ C/U ] a duty to take care of something:

[ C ] With this promotion, Jorge’s responsibilities will be increased.
[ U ] Parents must assume responsibility for their children.

responsibility noun (BLAME)

› [ U ] the cause of a particular action or situation, esp. a harmful or unpleasant one:

The oil company has denied responsibility for the leak.

(Definition of “responsibility” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"responsibility" in Business English

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responsibilitynoun

uk ​ /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ us ​

› [ C or U ] something that it is your job or duty to deal with:

responsibility to do sth As a board member, I have a responsibility to ask questions.
responsibility towards sb We have a special responsibility towards our employees.
responsibility for sth She will now assume responsibility for the Logistics Division.
take/delegate/share responsibility

› [ U ] blame for something that has happened:

responsibility for sth I accept responsibility for the problems.
The company denies responsibility for the disaster.

› [ plural ] the things you are in charge of in your job:

Those who survive redundancy may feel compelled to take on increasing responsibilities.
Employees' increased responsibilities are not always recognized.
See also
corporate social responsibility
environmental responsibility
social responsibility

(Definition of “responsibility” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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responsibility

Responsibility therefore lies primarily on that level; it is also most clear-cut there and forms part of national policy with which the citizen can identify.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Responsibility for this lies in various quarters.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
To achieve this, as the rapporteur has explained, it is essential to develop independent official inspections and also to increase the responsibility of operators in the sector.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
If we are to discuss the question of political boundaries, of political responsibility, then we also need to consider who can tread this path alongside us.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The treaty on judicial cooperation in the criminal field raises the question of the judicial and political responsibility for the consequences: the detection teams.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We are aware of the responsibility of the agricultural professions, whose ambition is to achieve optimum product quality while preserving their way of life.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We have to avoid making it more difficult for dialogue between old allies who feel the weight of their responsibility for the world's future.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The role of a central bank governor today, unless he or she wishes to be a permanent scapegoat, is to remind governments of this responsibility.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The purpose is to boost consumer confidence through proper corporate social responsibility, which can create and contribute to higher innovation performance.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
At the same time, it is also important for us to have a regional policy involving decentralisation and people having to take responsibility for development in their own regions.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Translations of “responsibility”
 
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