Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
agency (noun)1.
a) the office or function of an - agent
b) the relationship between a principal and that person's agent
2.
the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power - operation
3.
a person or thing through which power is exerted or an end is achieved - instrumentality communicated through the agency of the ambassador
4.
an establishment engaged in doing business for another - an advertising agency
5.
an administrative division (as of a government) - the agency for consumer protection
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
agency (noun)1.
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
SYNONYMS:
agency, arm, branch, bureau, department, desk, office, serviceRELATED WORDS:
subdepartment, subdivision2.
something used to achieve an end
SYNONYMS:
agency, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicleRELATED WORDS:
determinant, expedient, factor, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool; weapon; activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger; antecedent, cause, occasion, reason; subagency, subagent