authority
the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.
a power or right delegated or given; authorization: Who has the authority to grant permission?
a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency: The housing authority provides rental assistance payments to low-income residents.The bridges and piers are built and maintained by the Port Authority.
Usually authorities . persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government: They finally persuaded the authorities that they were not involved in espionage.
an accepted source of information, advice, etc.: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading authority on vaccines and immunizations.
a quotation or citation from such a source.
an expert on a subject: He is an authority on baseball.
persuasive force; cogency: She spoke with authority.
a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; a ruling.
right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence: the authority of a parent;the authority of a great writer.
mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.
a warrant for action; justification.
testimony; witness.
Origin of authority
1Other words for authority
| 1 | rule, power, sway |
| 3 | sovereign, arbiter |
| 8 | persuasion, persuasiveness; convincingness |
Other words from authority
- an·ti·au·thor·i·ty, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use authority in a sentence
Late Wednesday night, French authorities reported that Mourad had surrendered to police, while the two brothers remained at large.
Police Hunt for Paris Massacre Suspects | Tracy McNicoll, Christopher Dickey | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAs for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.
Did he go to the authorities to file a report against the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel?
Yet only 24 percent of the 3,892 femicides the group identified in 2012 and 2013 were looked at by authorities.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting | Ruben Navarrette Jr. | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTI had a feeling that Turkish authorities were closing their eyes.
This mania for correction shows itself too in relation to the authorities themselves.
Children's Ways | James SullyThe seed of discontent was again germinating under the duplicity of the Spanish lay and clerical authorities.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanThe exertions of the city authorities, who had notice of the meditated riot, were unable to prevent or quell it.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellAfter his death crowds flocked to his grave to touch his holy monument, till the authorities caused the church yard to be shut.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThe remaining figures, being taken from census returns and other reliable authorities, are more satisfactory.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
British Dictionary definitions for authority
/ (ɔːˈθɒrɪtɪ) /
the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others
(often plural) a person or group of people having this power, such as a government, police force, etc
a position that commands such a power or right (often in the phrase in authority)
such a power or right delegated, esp from one person to another; authorization: she has his authority
the ability to influence or control others: a man of authority
an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field: he is an authority on Ming china
evidence or testimony: we have it on his authority that she is dead
confidence resulting from great expertise: the violinist lacked authority in his cadenza
(capital when part of a name) a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise: Independent Broadcasting Authority
law
a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent
legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act
Origin of authority
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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