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

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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

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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

Example Sentences

NASA’s Artemis II mission sped off to the moon Wednesday, and the space agency hopes eventually to build a permanent moon base.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

According to Italian news agency Ansa, he was living at the property under a false name.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The new law also prompted the agency to move more quickly on establishing the bulks list.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Deputy governor for Khuzestan province, Valiollah Hayati, told the Fars news agency that three companies in the zone were hit, adding that it was unknown yet if there were any deaths.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

“The ratings agency people were all like government employees.”

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• bureau
• company
• department
• firm
• office