quango

/ˈkwæŋɡəʊ/ noun [C] (plural quangos)

Definition

› GOVERNMENT abbreviation for quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization: in the UK, an organization established by a government to consider a subject of public importance, which is independent from the government: Her consultancy has just prepared a report for the Carbon Trust (a quango promoting a low-carbon future). The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe) is the powerful quango which reviews planning applications for large commercial developments.

(Definition of quango noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)