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

Now, his narrow majority—174 out of 343 lawmakers—will give Carney crucial flexibility in pursuing his policy agenda, which is focused on rebuilding an economy that became too complacent in relying on trade with the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

This small group was part of a wider team at DHS, DOJ and the White House seeking to push forward the president’s agenda.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

And so people, unfortunately, whether it’s academics or even political pundits, want to continue their agenda as opposed to publicly admitting that they were wrong.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

"She's pushing an agenda that by all outward appearances he doesn't want to push. So she's helping her own agenda. It's a very independent statement and we've seen her do that a few times before."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The Nazi Party used propaganda, which was a powerful weapon, allowing them to twist the truth or outright lie to support their agenda.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• calendar
• plan
• program
• schedule
• timetable