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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | acompter, from compter 'to count' |
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account2 W2
account for something
phrasal verb1 to form a particular amount or part of something : 
Afro-Americans account for 12% of the US population.
Afro-Americans account for 12% of the US population.2 to be the reason why something happens [= explain]: Recent pressure at work may account for his behavior.
Recent pressure at work may account for his behavior.3 to give a satisfactory explanation of why something has happened or why you did something [= explain]: Can you account for your movements on that night?
Can you account for your movements on that night?4 to say where all the members of a group of people or things are, especially because you are worried that some of them may be lost : Three days after the earthquake, more than 150 people had still to be accounted for.
Three days after the earthquake, more than 150 people had still to be accounted for.