Agency Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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agency
[ˈeɪdʒənsi ]
Definitions
business
An agency is a business or organization that provides a particular service on behalf of another person or entity. It acts as an intermediary between the client and the service provider.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The advertising agency created a successful marketing campaign for the new product.
- Our travel agency helped us book our vacation to Europe.
- The government agency is responsible for regulating the financial industry.
government
An agency refers to a department or body of the government responsible for a specific function or service. It often has the authority to enforce laws and regulations within its area of expertise.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The Environmental Protection Agency works to protect the environment and public health.
- The intelligence agency is responsible for gathering and analyzing information for national security.
- The agency oversees the distribution of social welfare benefits to eligible citizens.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Philosophy
- In philosophical discussions, 'agency' often refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices.
- Philosophers debate whether free will is a necessary component of human agency, questioning how our choices are influenced by external factors.
- The concept of agency is pivotal in ethics, as it links to moral responsibility and accountability for one's actions.
Psychology
- Research in psychology shows that a strong sense of agency can boost self-esteem and mental well-being.
- Experiments reveal that individuals with higher perceived agency are more likely to pursue personal goals and achievements.
- Therapeutic approaches often focus on enhancing an individual's sense of agency to help improve their life circumstances.
Political Science
- In political contexts, 'agency' refers to the ability of individuals or groups to act independently, influencing political outcomes.
- Social movements often emphasize the empowerment of individuals to assert their agency against oppressive systems.
- Promoting agency in policy-making can lead to greater civic engagement and representation.
Cultural Studies
- Cultural agency highlights the role individuals play in creating and changing cultural norms and practices.
- In discussions about identity, agency emphasizes how people navigate cultural expectations and assert their personal narratives.
- Certain art movements, like Dada and Surrealism, aimed to reclaim agency by challenging traditional art forms and societal norms.
Origin of 'agency'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'agency' comes from the Latin word 'agere', which means 'to do' or 'to act'.
- It was first used in English around the 14th century, originally referring to a sense of doing or acting on something.
- In Middle English, it indicated the condition of being an agent or a representative.
The word 'agency' originated from the Latin word 'agentia', which means 'action of doing' or 'efficacy'. It first appeared in English in the 17th century, initially used in legal contexts to refer to the capacity of a person to act in a legal transaction on behalf of another. Over time, the term expanded to encompass various aspects of business, government, and social services, reflecting the concept of acting as an intermediary or representative.
See also: agents, bioagent, counteragent, reagent.