usda

IPA/jˌuːˌɛsdˌiːˈeɪ/
KK[jˌuˌɛsdˌiˈe]IPA/jˌuːˌɛsdˌiːˈeɪ/

usda — abbreviation

1. the U.S. government department that looks after farming, food production, and th

1.abbreviationB1
Definition

the U.S. government department that looks after farming, food production, and the safety of meat and other food products

Example

The USDA inspects all meat products sold in American supermarkets.

active voice with concrete object: inspects meat products

Farmers can apply for loans from the USDA to buy new equipment.

collocation: loans from the USDA

Common collocations
  • USDA grant
  • USDA loan
  • USDA certification
  • USDA guidelines
  • USDA inspector
  • USDA report
Synonyms

Usage Note

In news reports and official documents, the abbreviation USDA is far more common than the full name. This term appears frequently in articles about food imports, trade agreements, and agricultural policy that involve Taiwan and the United States.

Common Mistakes

The FDA approved the new beef inspection rules.
The USDA approved the new beef inspection rules.
The USDA (not the FDA) is responsible for meat and poultry safety in the U.S.

Word family

  • Department of Agriculture
    noun phraseB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) are both U.S. government agencies that oversee food, but their responsibilities differ. The USDA regulates meat, poultry, eggs, and farming; the FDA handles most other food products, drugs, and medical devices. Taiwanese learners often encounter both terms in news about food safety and trade. Full name 'Department of Agriculture' is synonymous with USDA but rarely used in headlines or everyday speech.

USDA ↗FDADepartment of Agriculture

Common collocations

Nouns

  • USDA grant
  • USDA loan
  • USDA certification
  • USDA report
  • USDA guidelines

Phrases

  • USDA organic
  • USDA-approved

Prepositions

  • from the USDA
  • at the USDA
  • by the USDA

Etymology

English

USDA is an initialism formed from the first letters of United States Department of Agriculture. The department was established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 and given cabinet-level status in 1889. The abbreviation has been in common use since the early 20th century.