account for account for /əˈkaʊnt fɔr/

verb

1. () Be the reason or explanation for  ( account for )
   be the reason or explanation for
    The recession accounts for the slow retail business
   The recession accounts for the slow retail business
   
2. () Give reasons for  ( account for )
   give reasons for
    Can you account for all these absences?
   Can you account for all these absences?