What is the meaning of the term asset?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

In finance, accounting, and economics, an asset refers to any resource owned or controlled by an individual, corporation, or government with the expectation that it will generate future economic value. Assets can be tangible—such as real estate, machinery, inventory, and cash—or intangible, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and goodwill. Balance sheets categorize assets strictly by liquidity to help investors evaluate corporate solvency, financial health, and operational efficiency.

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