account for
US /əˈkaʊnt fɔːr/
UK /əˈkaʊnt fɔːr/
1.
to explain the reason for something or to be the cause of something
:
•
The bad weather accounted for the delay.
•
Can you account for your absence yesterday?
2.
to form the total of something; to constitute
:
•
Women account for 60% of the students.
•
These new features account for a significant portion of the software's appeal.