agenda

American  

[uh-jen-duh] / əˈdʒɛn də /

noun

agendum, agendas, agenda

1. a list, plan, outline, or the like, of things to be done, matters to be acted or voted upon, etc..

   The chairman says we have a lengthy agenda this afternoon.

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agenda British  

/ əˈdʒɛndə /

noun

1. Also called: agendum.  (functioning as singular) a schedule or list of items to be attended to

2. Also called: agendas.   agendums.  (functioning as plural) matters to be attended to, as at a meeting of a committee

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Usage

Agenda, “things to be done,” is the plural of the Latin gerund agendum and is used today in the sense “a plan or list of matters to be acted upon.” In that sense it is treated as a singular noun; its plural is usually agendas: The agenda is ready for distribution. The agendas of last year's meetings are printed in the official minutes. The singular agendum, meaning “an item on an agenda,” is rare.

Other Word Forms

• agendaless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of agenda

First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin, plural of agendum “that which is to be done,” gerund of agere “to do, drive”; the plural originally carried a collective sense denoting the various items to be transacted

Explanation

An agenda is a list of things to do. If you're going to attend a meeting with a long agenda, you'll want to take your coffee mug along. The word agenda is the plural for of the Latin word agendum, which literally means "something to be done." The noun retains this meaning because an agenda is a plan — organized by time — of events or things to do. You might have a meeting, a lunch date, and a doctor's appointment on your agenda for the day. And when you run for office, you better have a political agenda — or a plan for what you want to get done if elected.

Example Sentences

Agenda for talks between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping highlights the array of U.S. interests that depend on — and often clash with — Beijing’s policies.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

If you’re anyone in this state that is trying to improve its future, and you read that Black Male Agenda, you’re going to agree with it.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

Prior to joining the Journal, she was a data reporter for Financial Times publications Agenda and FundFire, where she produced visual stories on corporate governance and the asset management industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Wisdom, 37, had until now led the New York Jewish Agenda, a group representing the voice of the city's liberal and progressive Jews.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

I think it's more like the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli

Related Words

• calendar
• plan
• program
• schedule
• timetable