agenda
[ uh-jen-duh ]
/ əˈdʒɛn də /
noun, formally a plural of agendum, but usually used as a singular with plural a·gen·das or a·gen·da.
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.
Nearby words
Origin of agenda
1745–55; < Latin, plural of agendum that which is to be done, gerund of agere to do; the plural orig. carried a collective sense denoting the various items to be transacted
Related formsa·gen·da·less, adjective
Usage note
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.
Definition for agenda (2 of 2)
agendum
[ uh-jen-duh m ]
/ əˈdʒɛn dəm /
noun, plural a·gen·da [uh-jen-duh] /əˈdʒɛn də/, a·gen·dums.
Origin of agendum
1895–1900; < Latin, gerund of agere to do
Usage note
See agenda.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for agenda
British Dictionary definitions for agenda
agenda
/ (əˈdʒɛndə) /
noun
Also called: agendum (functioning as singular) a schedule or list of items to be attended to
Also called: agendas, agendums (functioning as plural) matters to be attended to, as at a meeting of a committee
Word Origin for agenda
C17: Latin, literally: things to be done, from agere to do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for agenda
agenda
1650s, from Latin agenda, literally "things to be done," neuter plural of agendus, gerundive of agere "to do" (see act (n.)). Originally theological (opposed to matters of belief), sense of "items of business to be done at a meeting" first attested 1882. "If a singular is required (=one item of the agenda) it is now agendum, the former singular agend being obsolete" [Fowler].
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper