Recordkeeping vs. Record Keeping
“Record keeping” is a standard open noun phrase, “record-keeping” is a standard hyphenated form in attributive use, and “recordkeeping” is also established, especially in American English. Choose a form that matches your variety and house style, then keep it consistent.
“Record keeping” and “recordkeeping” are both established. Use “record-keeping” when your style treats the expression as a compound modifier before a noun.
Key details
Further guidance
Closed Form
“Recordkeeping” is an established closed form, including in American English usage.
Hyphenated Form
“Record-keeping” is also established, especially where the compound modifies another noun.
Open Form
“Record keeping” is the open noun form recorded by Cambridge.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- record keeping (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Current dictionary evidence for record keeping and the hyphenated attributive form record-keeping
- Recordkeeping definition and meaning (opens in a new tab)HarperCollins Publishers · Current dictionary evidence for closed-form American English recordkeeping