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

Example Sentences

Asked about improving water-quality around the coast of Northern Ireland, including Helen's Bay, he insisted the issue was "top of my agenda".

From BBC

He wants someone to support his overall economic agenda, which means lowering interest rates, a lot.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, which sets accounting rules for U.S. companies and nonprofits, has no projects on the standard-setting agenda to explore requiring a breakdown of construction in progress, Chair Rich Jones said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bessent has organized and supervised the vetting process, using it to define an agenda that could produce sweeping change at the central bank—and lower interest rates.

From Barron's

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told AFP: "China supports Myanmar in broadly uniting domestic political forces, steadily advancing its domestic political agenda and restoring stability and development."

From Barron's

Related Words

• calendar
• plan
• program
• schedule
• timetable