Definition of authority
authorities
1a : power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior the president's authorityb : freedom granted by one in authority : right Who gave you the authority to do as you wish?
2a : persons in command; specifically : government the local authorities of each stateb : a governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise the transit authority the city's housing authority
3a : grounds, warrant had excellent authority for believing the claimb : convincing force lent authority to the performance
4a (1) : a citation (as from a book or file) used in defense or support (2) : the source from which the citation is drawn He quoted extensively from the Bible, his sole authority.b (1) : a conclusive statement or set of statements (such as an official decision of a court) (2) : a decision taken as a precedent (3) : testimonyc : an individual cited or appealed to as an expert The prosecutor called the psychiatrist as an authority.
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Examples of authority in a Sentence
The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned.
She has an air of authority.
Her southern accent lent authority to her performance.
We reported the incident to hospital authorities.
Local authorities are investigating the accident.
Origin and Etymology of authority
Middle English auctorite, from Anglo-French auctorité, from Latin auctoritat-, auctoritas opinion, decision, power, from auctor —see 1author
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonym Discussion of authority
power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence. the power to mold public opinion authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits. granted the authority to manage her estate jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits. the bureau having jurisdiction over parks control stresses the power to direct and restrain. you are responsible for the students under your control command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience. the army officer in command sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence. the empire extended its sway over the region dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority. given dominion over all the animals
Other Business Terms
AUTHORITY Defined for English Language Learners
authority
playDefinition of authority for English Language Learners
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: the power to give orders or make decisions : the power or right to direct or control someone or something
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: the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people
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: a quality that makes something seem true or real
AUTHORITY Defined for Kids
authority
playDefinition of authority for Students
authorities
1 : power to exercise control
2 : a person looked to as an expert She's a leading authority on fitness.
3 : people having powers to make decisions and enforce rules and laws State authorities are investigating the disputed election.
4 : a fact or statement used to support a position What is your authority for this argument?
Law Dictionary
authority
Legal Definition of authority
authorities
1 : an official decision of a court used especially as a precedent
2a : a power to act especially over others that derives from status, position, or office the authority of the president; also : jurisdiction b : the power to act that is officially or formally granted (as by statute, corporate bylaw, or court order) within the scope of the treasurer's authority police officers executing a warrant…are not required to “knock and announce” their authority and purposes before entering — National Law Journal c : power and capacity to act granted by someone in a position of control; specifically : the power to act granted by a principal to his or her agent actual authority : the authority that a principal in reality has granted to an agent actual express authority : the actual authority of an agent specifically stated or written by the principal actual implied authority : the actual authority of an agent that the principal has not specified but has purposely or through negligence allowed the agent to believe has been granted apparent authority : the authority that a principal purposely or through negligence allows a third party to believe that the principal's agent has although such authority has not in reality been granted —called also authority by estoppel, ostensible authority Editor's note: A principal is bound by the acts of an agent acting with apparent authority. express authority : authority that is explicitly granted to an agent by a principal —called also expressed authority, stipulated authority implied authority : the authority to perform acts that are customary, necessary, and understood by an agent as authorized in performing acts for which the principal has given express authority ostensible authority : apparent authority in this entry stipulated authority : express authority in this entry
3 : a person in a position of power and especially a public office —usually used in plural the local authorities
4a : a government agency or corporation that administers a revenue-producing public enterprise the transit authority b : a government agency or public office responsible for an area of regulation should apply for a permit to the permitting authority
Learn More about authority
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See words that rhyme with authority Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for authority Spanish Central: Translation of authority Nglish: Translation of authority for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of authority for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about authority
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