To audit means to carefully examine records or accounts to verify they are accurate and complete. When accountants audit a company's financial records, they check that all the money coming in and going out has been recorded correctly and honestly. Schools might audit their attendance records, and election officials audit vote counts to ensure accuracy.

An audit can also be the official examination itself: “The business underwent an audit by the tax authorities.” During an audit, an auditor (the person conducting the examination) reviews documents, asks questions, and looks for mistakes or dishonesty. The goal is to catch errors before they become bigger problems and to ensure that rules are being followed.

In colleges, students can sometimes audit a class, which means attending without receiving a grade or credit. They get to learn the material but don't take tests or complete assignments for a grade.

Whether it's checking a company's books or verifying election results, an audit helps ensure that records reflect reality.