agency

American  

[ey-juhn-see] / ˈeɪ dʒən si /

noun

plural

agencies

1. an organization, company, or bureau that provides a particular service.

   We are a nonprofit agency for people experiencing food insecurity.

2. a company having a franchise to represent another.

   Perhaps we should be looking for a new advertising agency.

3. a governmental bureau or administrative division, or an office that represents it.

   My internship at the FDA led to job opportunities with other federal agencies.

4. the place of business of an agent.

   If you stop by the agency tomorrow, we can go over the details of the land sale.

5. Indian agency.

6. the duty or function of an agent.

7. the relationship between a principal and an agent.

   Investment firms must incentivize proper agency so that fund managers prioritize the investor’s interests over their own.

8. the state of being in action or of exerting power; operation.

   the agency of divine Providence.

9. the capacity to act or exert power.

   We may have our free agency, but we are responsible for our choices.

10. a means of exerting power or influence; instrumentality.

    nominated by the agency of friends.

    Synonyms:

    intercession

---

agency British  

/ ˈeɪdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. a business or other organization providing a specific service

   an employment agency

2. the place where an agent conducts business

3. the business, duties, or functions of an agent

4. action, power, or operation

   the agency of fate

5. intercession or mediation

6. one of the administrative organizations of a government

---

Other Word Forms

• subagency
  noun
• underagency
  noun

Etymology

Origin of agency

First recorded in 1650–60; from Medieval Latin agentia “ability,” from Latin ag(ere) “to do, drive” + -entia -ency

Explanation

An agency usually provides a service, like an aid organization or a government bureau. If you're looking for a job, an employment agency might be able to help. The Latin word agere means "to do or manage," and it's a fitting ancestor for agency, a word that means an institution that manages or specializes in something. As a secret agent, you might work for the CIA, or Central Intelligence Agency. I hope you look good in black. The noun agency also refers to the power or ability to do something, as in the William McKinley quote, "War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed.”

Example Sentences

Not long after that lunch, the Food and Drug Administration unveiled a new policy that allows more of the pouches to be marketed even if they haven’t yet received scientific authorization from the agency.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

The hammer is the state law, and the nail is the agency.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

This puts more agency into the hands of sellers, who have the choice to only compensate their own listing agent and not the buyer’s agent.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

He had worked for Social Security Scotland for four years, since the agency began operation.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Their meeting in Las Vegas with the third and smallest rating agency, Fitch Ratings, stuck in Vinny’s mind.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• bureau
• company
• department
• firm
• office