agency
/'eidʤənsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The means or method through which something is achieved: "Agency" refers to the action or intervention that produces a particular effect or result.
- The capacity to act or exert power: It denotes the state of being in action or having the ability to make choices and influence events.
- A business or organization providing a specific service: "Agency" can mean a company or bureau that acts on behalf of others or provides a particular function.
- A government or administrative office: It refers to a department or unit within a government responsible for a specific area of administration.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Free will is the agency through which we make moral choices.
- The project succeeded through the agency of a dedicated team.
- She works for a digital marketing agency.
- The Environmental Protection Agency is a key government body.
Advanced Usage
"Free agency": The capacity to act independently and make free choices.
- The philosopher argued that free agency is fundamental to human dignity.
"Through the agency of": By means of; through the action or intervention of.
- Peace was achieved through the agency of skilled diplomats.
Variants and Related Words
Agent (n): A person or thing that acts or has the power to act; a representative.
- A real estate agent helped them buy the house.
Co-agency (n): Joint action or operation.
- The success was a result of co-agency between the two departments.
Synonyms
- Means: A method or instrument for achieving a result.
- Instrumentality: The quality or function of serving as a means or tool.
- Bureau: An office or department for transacting specific business.
- Organization: A group of people with a particular purpose.
Related Phrases
Agency relationship: A legal relationship where one party (the agent) acts on behalf of another (the principal).
- The contract established a clear agency relationship between the actor and his manager.
Agency problem: A conflict of interest inherent in any relationship where one party is expected to act in another's best interests.
- Shareholders are concerned about the agency problem with the new CEO.
Related Idioms
To have agency over something: To have control or the power to influence a situation.
- In the new role, she finally has agency over the project's direction.
An instrument/vehicle/medium is the best agency for...: A common structure emphasizing the means to an end.
- Direct experience is often the best agency for learning.
Noun
- how a result is obtained or an end is achieved
- a means of control
- an example is the best agency of instruction
- the true way to success
- the state of serving as an official and authorized delegate or agent
- the state of being in action or exerting power
- the agency of providence
- she has free agency
- a business that serves other businesses
- an administrative unit of government
- the Central Intelligence Agency
- the Census Bureau
- Office of Management and Budget
- Tennessee Valley Authority