agency
an organization, company, or bureau that provides a particular service: We are a nonprofit agency for people experiencing food insecurity.
a company having a franchise to represent another: Perhaps we should be looking for a new advertising agency.
a governmental bureau or administrative division, or an office that represents it: My internship at the FDA led to job opportunities with other federal agencies.
the place of business of an agent: If you stop by the agency tomorrow, we can go over the details of the land sale.
the duty or function of an agent.
the relationship between a principal and an agent: Investment firms must incentivize proper agency so that fund managers prioritize the investor’s interests over their own.
the state of being in action or of exerting power; operation: the agency of divine Providence.
the capacity to act or exert power: We may have our free agency, but we are responsible for our choices.
a means of exerting power or influence; instrumentality: nominated by the agency of friends.
Origin of agency
1Other words for agency
Other words from agency
- sub·a·gen·cy, noun, plural sub·a·gen·cies.
- un·der·a·gen·cy, noun, plural un·der·a·gen·cies.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use agency in a sentence
Law-enforcement agencies at all levels of government provide a valuable and often thankless public service in their communities.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property? | Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut until recently, there was no requirement for government agencies to report deaths in police custody.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive | Ben Jacobs | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“Very few agencies offer police any specific guidance or training on how to question people with ID,” said Garrett.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities | Elizabeth Picciuto | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGovernment agencies will be attempting to keep a close eye on them, regardless.
What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe About Dealing with Terrorists | Scott Beauchamp | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey are for corporations like Hobby Lobby, and vast hospital networks, and, yes, adoption agencies.
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around | Jay Michaelson | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Statements rendered by mercantile or collection agencies to inquirers for business purposes are clearly privileged.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesAs long as man left his bones to the unaided agencies of nature, they were little likely to be preserved.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles MorrisOn the other hand, reward without useful service has been one of the leading agencies that have acted to check human progress.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles MorrisAll officers of the Crown, and all public agencies from whom information was sought, were helpful.
Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents | Oswald Chettle Mazengarb et al.It is the least important of the agencies which feed the credit of the adherents of the system.
British Dictionary definitions for agency
/ (ˈeɪdʒənsɪ) /
a business or other organization providing a specific service: an employment agency
the place where an agent conducts business
the business, duties, or functions of an agent
action, power, or operation: the agency of fate
intercession or mediation
one of the administrative organizations of a government
Origin of agency
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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