agency

Universal Words noun (plural agencies) 1 a business or an organization that provides a particular service especially on behalf of other businesses or organizations: an advertising / employment agency * You can book at your local travel agency. * international aid agencies caring for refugees seealsoDATINGAGENCY, NEWSAGENCY, PRESSAGENCY 2 (especially AmE) a government department that provides a particular service: the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) IDIOMS through the agency of (formal) as a result of the action of sb/sth: He obtained his position through the agency of an old friend.