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

In comments on background, several council members said Raman doesn’t seem to have an interest in the kind of politicking needed to advance her agenda.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

He is also due to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with energy likely to be high on the agenda.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Her time as the nation’s spy chief was dominated by the need to support and facilitate the president’s intelligence agenda.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

The omission squares with Warsh’s reform agenda, which is largely about returning the Fed to the smaller, quieter institution it was before Bernanke grew its presence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

“The subject will be at the top of our agenda for the next conclave,” he announced.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• calendar
• plan
• program
• schedule
• timetable