Definition

Proper noun A U.S. federal agency, the Transportation Security Administration, created in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Its primary mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems, with a significant focus on ensuring security in civil aviation and air travel.

Usage

TSA is used as a singular proper noun to refer to the agency itself. It is almost always preceded by the definite article "the."

Examples

• All passengers must go through a security screening conducted by the TSA.
• The TSA has implemented new rules regarding carry-on luggage.
• You can check the TSA website for a list of prohibited items.

Advanced Usage

• TSA PreCheck®: This is the name of a specific expedited screening program administered by the agency. It is a registered trademark.
  • Traveling is much faster if you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck®.
• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) before other nouns.
  • We went through the TSA checkpoint.
  • He is a TSA officer.

Variants and Related Words

• Transportation Security Administration: The full, formal name of the agency. This is often used in official documents or formal writing.
• TSA agent / TSA officer: Terms for an individual employee of the agency.

Synonyms

• Security agency (general term)
• Aviation security (refers to the function, not the organization)

Notes

TSA is an initialism (each letter is pronounced: T-S-A). It is not an acronym pronounced as a word. Its establishment was a key component of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress in November 2001.

Noun

1. an agency established in 2001 to safeguard United States transportation systems and insure safe air travel