agendum

[uh-jen-duh m]

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.

agenda

[uh-jen-duh]

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.

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for agendum

timetable, calendar, program, plan, schedule, diary, lineup, docket, card

British Dictionary definitions for agendum

agenda

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for agendum

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].