authority

American  

[uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-] / əˈθɔr ɪ ti, əˈθɒr- /

noun

authorities plural

1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

   Synonyms:

   persuasion, sway, power, rule

2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization.

   Who has the authority to grant permission?

3. 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.

   Synonyms:

   arbiter, sovereign

4. 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.

5. an accepted source of information, advice, etc..

   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading authority on vaccines and immunizations.

6. a quotation or citation from such a source.

7. an expert on a subject.

   He is an authority on baseball.

8. persuasive force; cogency.

   She spoke with authority.

9. a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; a ruling.

10. 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.

11. mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.

12. a warrant for action; justification.

13. testimony; witness.

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authority British  

/ ɔːˈθɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others

2. (often plural) a person or group of people having this power, such as a government, police force, etc

3. a position that commands such a power or right (often in the phrase in authority )

4. such a power or right delegated, esp from one person to another; authorization

   she has his authority

5. the ability to influence or control others

   a man of authority

6. an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field

   he is an authority on Ming china

7. evidence or testimony

   we have it on his authority that she is dead

8. confidence resulting from great expertise

   the violinist lacked authority in his cadenza

9. (capital when part of a name) a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise

   Independent Broadcasting Authority

10. law

    1. a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent

    2. legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act

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Usage

What are other ways to say authority? The noun authority refers to the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues. When should you use this noun over control or influence? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antiauthority
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• authorities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of authority

First recorded in 1200–50; earlier auct(h)oritie, from Latin auctōritās “power, influence, prestige,” equivalent to auctor “authority, originator, supporter” ( see author) + -itās -ity

Explanation

If you have the authority to do something, you have the right or power to do it. You are the big cheese. Or, if you know more about a topic than most, you are an authority on that topic. Giving someone authority grants them the power to make important decisions or have accepted opinions. When you leave your kids with a babysitter, you give her the authority to put them to bed at 7 p.m., no matter how much they insist you let them stay up until midnight. You'll feel more confident leaving the babysitter in charge of bedtime decisions if she's written two books on the subject and is an authority, or renowned expert, on children's sleep habits. Being an authority on children's sleep habits helps your babysitter enforce that 7 p.m. bedtime, but it may not convince the kids.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

authority authorities

More than a decade ago, he was co-chief operating officer at JPMorgan Chase JPM -0.65%decrease; down pointing triangle , another perch that gave him visibility and authority over every part of a massive financial institution.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

A Somerset Council spokesperson said the authority recognised that many households continue to face financial pressures due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

When a property is clearly abandoned, Thogmartin has the authority to hire a locksmith to allow for a full inspection by potential bidders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

The tax authority said that many of them may have chosen not to claim, owing to restrictions on high-earning parents receiving the benefit.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

But Captain Newport does have authority here, and I am sure he will not let them hang Captain Smith.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Areas of Coquimbo recorded historic rainfall, including more than 200mm at Cerro Tololo, according to Chile's meteorological authorities.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Local police superintendent ANM Sajedur Rahman said authorities lacked the resources to dismantle trafficking networks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

At the time, organisers of Tonnau festival confirmed that the festival had been cancelled to enable the authorities to carry out their inquiries.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

His daughter, Teresa Zambada, told U.S. authorities her father did not “aspire to become what he became to that magnitude,” according to the memo.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Under the law, doctors in the Philippines are required to report any cases of TB to authorities, including the patient’s name, address, family members, and place of employment.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

• force
• government
• jurisdiction
• rule