agenda

 
Pronunciation: /əˈdʒɛndə/

noun

  • 1a list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting: the question of nuclear weapons had been removed from the agenda
  • a plan of things to be done or problems to be addressed: he vowed to put jobs at the top of his agenda the government had its own agenda
  • the underlying intentions or motives of a particular person or group: Miller has his own agenda and it has nothing to do with football
  • 2North American an appointment diary.

Phrases

on the agenda

scheduled for discussion at a meeting: the rights of minorities would be high on the agenda at the conference
likely or needing to be dealt with or done: his release was not on the agenda

set the agenda

influence or determine a programme of action: he has set the agenda for future work in this field

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'things to be done'): from Latin, neuter plural of agendum, gerundive of agere 'do'

Although agenda is the plural of agendum in Latin, in standard modern English it is normally used as a singular noun with a standard plural form (agendas). See also data (usage) and media1 (usage).