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agency

n.
US //ˈeɪdʒənsi// UK //ˈeɪdʒənsi// agen·cy
  1. 1 service business (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a business that provides a specific service for other people or companies.

    an establishment or business authorised to act on behalf of another, typically providing specialised services.

    Example

    She found a new apartment through a local rental agency.

    Example

    The advertising agency spent months developing a comprehensive branding strategy to help the startup compete in the global market.
  2. 2 government department (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a department or office that is part of a government.

    an administrative unit or department of a government responsible for specific functions or oversight.

    Example

    The environmental agency is testing the water for pollution.

    Example

    Several federal agencies collaborated on the disaster relief effort to ensure that resources reached the affected regions as quickly as possible.
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  1. 3 personal power or choice (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    the ability to make your own choices and take action to change your life.

    the capacity of an individual to act independently and exercise free choice within a social structure.

    Example

    The program helps young people feel they have agency over their own future.

    Example

    Sociologists often debate the extent to which social structures limit an individual's sense of agency in modern society.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'exercise' or 'have'.
  2. 4 the means of doing something (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the way or the person through which something is achieved.

    the state of being in action or the medium through which power is exerted or an end is achieved.

    Example

    The two countries reached an agreement through the agency of a neutral mediator.

    Example

    The virus was spread through the agency of migratory birds, making it difficult for local authorities to contain the outbreak.

    Usage

    Commonly appears in the phrase 'through the agency of'.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Medieval Latin agēns Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Medieval Latin -ius Medieval Latin -ia Medieval Latin agēntiabor. English agency From Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agēns (present participle of agere (“to act”)), agentis (cognate with French agence, see also agent).

Word family

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