account

a record or narrative description of past events; "a history of France"; "he gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president"; "the story of exposure to lead"

a short account of the news; "the report of his speech"; "the story was on the 11 o'clock news"; "the account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious"

a formal contractual relationship established to provide for regular banking or brokerage or business services; "he asked to see the executive who handled his account"

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"

grounds; "don't do it on my account"; "the paper was rejected on account of its length"; "he tried to blame the victim but his success on that score was doubtful"

importance or value; "a person of considerable account"; "he predicted that although it is of small account now it will rapidly increase in importance"

a statement of recent transactions and the resulting balance; "they send me an accounting every month"

the act of informing by verbal report; "he heard reports that they were causing trouble"; "by all accounts they were a happy couple"

an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered; "he paid his bill and left"; "send me an account of what I owe"

the quality of taking advantage; "she turned her writing skills to good account"

be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something; "Passing grades account for half of the grades given in this exam"

keep an account of

to give an account or representation of in words; "Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental"

furnish a justifying analysis or explanation; "I can't account for the missing money"