agency

UK: /ˈeɪdʒənsi/ US: /ˈeɪdʒənsi/ ,(ā′jən sē)

Inflections of 'agency' (n): npl: agencies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•gen•cy /ˈeɪdʒənsi/   n., pl. -cies. 

1. an organization, company, or bureau that provides a particular service:
   [countable] a welfare agency; an employment agency.
2. the place of business of an agent:
   [countable] independent insurance agency.
3. a means or method of exercising power or influence;
   a way something is accomplished:
   [uncountable] awarded the contract through the agency of friends.

See -ag-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•gen•cy  (ā′jən sē), n., pl. -cies. 

1. an organization, company, or bureau that provides some service for another:
   a welfare agency.
2. a company having a franchise to represent another.
3. Government a governmental bureau, or an office that represents it.
4. the place of business of an agent.
5. Government See Indian agency. 
6. Government an administrative division of a government.
7. the duty or function of an agent.
8. the relationship between a principal and his or her agent.
9. the state of being in action or of exerting power;
   operation:
   the agency of Providence.
10. a means of exerting power or influence;
    instrumentality:
    nominated by the agency of friends.

• Medieval Latin agentia, equivalent. to Latin ag- (root of agere to do, act, manage) + -entia -ency
• 1650–60

Synonyms

• 10. intercession, good offices.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

agency / ˈeɪdʒənsɪ/ noun ( -cies)

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

Etymology: 17th Century: from Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agere to do