agency

[ey-juhn-see]

noun

plural

agencies 

1. an organization, company, or bureau that provides a particular service.

   We are a nonprofit agency for people experiencing food insecurity.

2. a company having a franchise to represent another.

   Perhaps we should be looking for a new advertising agency.

3. 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.

4. the place of business of an agent.

   If you stop by the agency tomorrow, we can go over the details of the land sale.

5. Indian agency.

6. the duty or function of an agent.

7. 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.

8. the state of being in action or of exerting power; operation.

   the agency of divine Providence.

9. the capacity to act or exert power.

   We may have our free agency, but we are responsible for our choices.

10. a means of exerting power or influence; instrumentality.

    nominated by the agency of friends.

    Synonyms: intercession

agency

/ ˈeɪdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. a business or other organization providing a specific service

   an employment agency

2. the place where an agent conducts business

3. the business, duties, or functions of an agent

4. action, power, or operation

   the agency of fate

5. intercession or mediation

6. one of the administrative organizations of a government

Other Word Forms

• subagency noun
• underagency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of agency¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Medieval Latin agentia “ability,” from Latin ag(ere) “to do, drive” + -entia -ency

Word History and Origins

Origin of agency¹

C17: from Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agere to do

Example Sentences

His team option wasn’t picked up, putting the 23-year-old on the free agency market.

From Los Angeles Times

While much of the fallout remains to be seen, federal agencies that deal with wildfires, weather and disaster response — including the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

News agency AFP quoted a source as saying French military personnel had boarded the vessel on Saturday.

From BBC

The federal government shut down for the first time in six years late Tuesday, requiring federal agencies to stop all nonessential work.

From Los Angeles Times

And now, for the first time in recent memory, agencies have been directed to go beyond routine leave notices.

From Salon

Related Words

• bureau 
• company 
• department 
• firm 
• office