agency

[ ey-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural a·gen·cies.

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

/ 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 Words From

• sub·a·gen·cy noun plural subagencies
• un·der·a·gen·cy noun plural underagencies

Word History and Origins

Origin of agency¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agency¹

C17: from Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agere to do

Example Sentences

Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data.

From Los Angeles Times

Adams Kellum said she welcomed the audit to see if the agency is “on the right track for system improvement that we’ve already put in place, and to further let us know what’s missing.”

From Los Angeles Times

His transition team also hasn't met with counterparts at any of the federal agencies in Washington.

From Salon

The incentives would apply in single-family zones only if a property is owned by a public agency or a faith-based organization, which accounts for just a sliver of the city’s single-family lots.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the best we can hope for in some of these agencies is that they'll flounder about for a while without any serious results.

From Salon

Related Words

• bureau
• company
• department
• firm
• office