Searchplex ID Retrieval terminology registry

General Concept

Agentic RAG

Canonical ID https://id.searchplex.net/agentic-rag/

A retrieval-augmented generation pattern in which an agent plans, issues, evaluates, and iterates retrieval or tool-use actions before producing a generated answer or result.

Also called

  • Agentic Retrieval-Augmented Generation

Scope

Agentic RAG combines RAG with agentic control over retrieval, query reformulation, tool use, evidence gathering, or stopping decisions. It is distinct from RAG in general, which may use a fixed retrieval pipeline, and from agentic retrieval, which names the retrieval loop rather than the full generation pattern.

Observed terms

  • Agentic RAG System industry
  • Agentic RAG Workflow industry

Not equivalent to

  • Agentic RAG is not Agentic Retrieval. Agentic retrieval names the retrieval loop; Agentic RAG is the broader generation pattern that uses such a loop to produce an answer or result.
  • Agentic RAG is not Deep Research. Agentic RAG is a retrieval-augmented generation pattern; deep research emphasizes multi-step research, browsing, evidence synthesis, and often report-style output.
  • Agentic RAG is not Retrieval-Augmented Generation. Agentic RAG is a form of RAG with agentic control over retrieval or tool-use steps; RAG in general may use a fixed retrieve-then-generate pipeline.
  • Agentic RAG is not Retrieval Planning. Retrieval planning is one capability within an agentic RAG system; it is not the full RAG pattern.

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