Definition

Noun 1. A U.S. federal agency: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an independent agency of the United States government. Its primary mission is to preserve and provide public access to the permanently valuable records of the federal government. This includes managing presidential libraries, museums, and significant historical collections.

Usage

• The National Archives and Records Administration is responsible for safeguarding and documenting the history of the U.S. government.
• Researchers often visit the National Archives and Records Administration to view original historical documents.
• The National Archives and Records Administration operates the system of Presidential Libraries.

Examples

• "The Declaration of Independence is preserved by the National Archives and Records Administration."
• "You can request military service records through the National Archives and Records Administration."
• "The National Archives and Records Administration establishes policies for how federal agencies must manage their electronic records."

Advanced Usage

• Acronym: The agency is almost universally referred to by its acronym, NARA. In formal and informal contexts, "NARA" is used interchangeably with the full name.
  • Example: "I found the census records on NARA's website."

Variants and Related Words

• National Archives: A common shortened form used to refer to NARA, or specifically to its flagship building in Washington, D.C., which holds the Charters of Freedom.
• Archivist of the United States: The title of the head official of the National Archives and Records Administration.
• Federal Records: The official documents created or received by the U.S. government that NARA is tasked with preserving.

Synonyms

• Public record office (a general, non-U.S. specific term)
• Government archives (a general term)

Notes

• The National Archives and Records Administration is a specific, proper noun referring to a single U.S. government institution. It is always capitalized.
• It is distinct from state or local archives, which are managed by different entities.

Noun

1. the independent agency that oversees management of federal government records including presidential libraries and historic collections