agency

[ ey-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural a·gen·cies.

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 Words From

• sub·a·gen·cy noun plural subagencies
• un·der·a·gen·cy noun plural underagencies

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

“Letting the most junior members set the agenda might be a good philosophy for a Montessori preschool, but it is no way to run a federal agency,” Barr said in a speech to an event hosted by conservative Hillsdale College.

From Washington Post

Using NBCU’s program would also have the advantage of being able to dig deeper into NBCU’s contribution to an advertiser’s business results, according to agency executives.

From Digiday

Privacy and security were important considerations before committing to use the product, said Paul Davison, Vice Media Group vice president of agency development, for international in statement.

From Digiday

Although a longer term may help agencies recruit, it still would not provide the individual with the security of a permanent position, she said.

From Washington Post

The upfront held to its traditional calendar-year model, and most of the money committed has gone to TV networks for ads that will air on linear TV, according to agency executives.

From Digiday

Something like fluoride, which is too small for normal filters, yanks away that feeling of agency.

From The Daily Beast

Wisner continues to feel angry toward the agency because she believes she was misled.

From The Daily Beast

“Mostly people on a budget use it,” Franz Dobersberger, managing director of a Bangkok travel agency, told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Larson, as usual, instills gravitas and agency in an otherwise underwritten character.

From The Daily Beast

Essentially, we are being left in a position where we are expected to just take agency promises at face value.

From The Daily Beast

Having thus enrolled himself as one of the Agency Indians, he had a claim on this the Agency doctor.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet he succeeded in getting many to take the agency and these received orders and sent for the books.

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed, in many cases a general agency requires the employment of many persons to execute the business.

From Project Gutenberg

In many cases an agency is created for an indefinite period, and in these either party can terminate it whenever he desires.

From Project Gutenberg

The death of either agent or principal terminates the agency except in cases of personal interest.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bureau
• company
• department
• firm
• office