# EPA

/ˌiˌpiˈeɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/epa
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. US government agency

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

Stands for Environmental Protection Agency. This is the US government group that makes rules to protect the air, water, and land.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Environmental Protection Agency. A US federal government agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations.

- The EPA announced new rules to reduce pollution from large factories.
- The EPA issued a comprehensive report detailing the impact of industrial runoff on the local watershed, leading to stricter enforcement of environmental standards.

### 2. legal document

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

Stands for Enduring Power of Attorney. A legal document that lets someone else make decisions for you if you become too ill to do it yourself.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Enduring Power of Attorney. A legal instrument that allows an individual to appoint an attorney to manage their affairs should they lose mental capacity.

- He signed an EPA so his daughter could manage his bank accounts later.
- The solicitor advised the client that an EPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be fully exercised.

### 3. trade agreement

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

Stands for Economic Partnership Agreement. A deal between countries to make trading goods and services easier.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Economic Partnership Agreement. A type of scheme or treaty designed to create a free trade area between the European Union and various developing economies.

- The two countries signed an EPA to lower the cost of importing food.
- Negotiations for the new EPA stalled over disagreements regarding agricultural subsidies and intellectual property protections.

### 4. fatty acid

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for eicosapentaenoic acid. A healthy type of fat found in fish oil that is good for your heart.

For teachers: Abbreviation for eicosapentaenoic acid. An omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water fish, often used as a dietary supplement to support cardiovascular health.

- These vitamins contain high levels of EPA and DHA from fish oil.
- Clinical trials suggest that a high daily intake of EPA may significantly reduce systemic inflammation in patients with chronic heart conditions.

## Examples

- The EPA sets limits on how much pollution factories can produce.
- The company faced heavy fines after the EPA discovered they were dumping chemicals into the local river.

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