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

Supporters of the administration’s trade agenda say his team has already been leaning more on the Section 232 tariffs in recent months, decreasing the relative importance of the Ieepa duties.

From The Wall Street Journal

The hardest part of this agenda isn’t technical, but institutional.

From Barron's

Every family has its own unique dysfunction and competing agendas.

From MarketWatch

Durable goods orders, housing starts and industrial production data are on the agenda.

From The Wall Street Journal

"This year, we're going further - expanding access, opening more pathways and ensuring northern artists don't just take part, but set the agenda," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• calendar
• plan
• program
• schedule
• timetable