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Synonyms

power of attorney

American  

noun

Law.

  1. a written document given by one person or party to another authorizing the latter to act for the former.

power of attorney British  

noun

  1. legal authority to act for another person in certain specified matters

  2. the document conferring such authority

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of power of attorney

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

My sister and I have held power of attorney for my brother, who lives six hours away.

From MarketWatch

My elderly relative transferred both healthcare and financial power of attorney from me to their attorney several years ago.

From MarketWatch

In addition to a will or trust, consider a durable financial power of attorney, a healthcare proxy, and advance healthcare directive.

From MarketWatch

I hold the power of attorney for my mother.

From MarketWatch

His legal practice held power of attorney for many elderly people with dementia.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.