The word responsibility has a number of meanings, but generally speaking it refers to the state or condition of being responsible. Responsible is defined as answerable or accountable for something, required to explain actions or decisions, and expected to fulfill obligations. In other words, when someone takes on responsibilities they are accepting the duty to act in a certain way, whether that means completing tasks, meeting expectations, or taking care of others. Responsibility is often associated with maturity, reliability, and trustworthiness.