accrual.

1. The gradual accumulation of an amount, benefit, or obligation over time.

2. The recording of income or expense when earned or incurred, rather than only when money is received or paid.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• accrual of interest
• accrual of benefits

On the page

The contract explained the monthly accrual of leave.

Usage notes

Primary category: economics / business / social science. Forms: Countable or uncountable by context; countable singular accrual; plural accruals. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Commonness: moderately common.