authority

play

noun au·thor·i·ty \ə-ˈthär-ə-tē, ȯ-, -ˈthȯr-\

Definition of authority

plural

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.

See authority defined for English-language learners

See authority defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of authority from the Web

There’s debate about what these contradictory fragments say about the authority of Scripture.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Hobby Lobby to Turn Over 5,500 Artifacts Smuggled Out of Iraq", 6 July 2017
The financial threat this time around looks lower than in the case of Sudan, when America’s authorities withdrew the bank’s access to dollar clearing for some transactions for a year.

— The Economist, "A long reckoningBNP Paribas faces accusations over the Rwandan genocide", 5 July 2017
Several insurers in Canada have picked up Saxenda, and health authorities in the United Arab Emirates have agreed to pay for some patients in public hospitals, according to Novo.

— james paton, Bloomberg.com, "Why Big Pharma Is Struggling to Profit From the Obesity Epidemic", 4 July 2017
Housing authorities across the country set their own payment standards, using their cities' cost of living to decide how much their vouchers are worth.

— alden woods, azcentral, "60 days to find a home: Lack of affordable housing forces renters to settle", 2 July 2017
He was cursed with the possession of a power and authority which no man of narrow mind, bitter prejudices, and inordinate self-estimation can exercise without depraving himself as well as injuring the nation.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Maybe This Presidency Is Not Unprecedented", 30 June 2017
One person was in critical condition and a student suffered minor injuries after a school bus crash involving a wrong-way driver Friday morning on a Texas 121 exit to Belknap Street, authorities said.

— judy wiley and diane smith, star-telegram, "One in critical condition after school bus crash on Texas 121 exit", 30 June 2017
Earlier this month, Minnesota authorities released more videos of Philando Castile, the young man who was killed by a police officer in front his girlfriend and her child during a routine traffic stop in July 2016.

— amber rambharose, Glamour, "How to End Police Brutality? Dismantle Our Racist Power Structure", 29 June 2017
Flint is currently paying $14.1 million a year to get its water from Great Lakes authority line.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "The State Of Michigan Sues Flint After City Council Refuses To Approve Water Deal", 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'authority'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of authority

Middle English auctorite, from Anglo-French auctorité, from Latin auctoritat-, auctoritas opinion, decision, power, from auctor —see ¹author

NEW!

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of authority

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously. used her influence to get the bill passed authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief. his opinions lacked authority prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority. the prestige of the newspaper weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices. their wishes obviously carried much weight credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others. his credit with the press

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

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

AUTHORITY Defined for English Language Learners

authority

play

noun

Definition of authority for English Language Learners

: the power to give orders or make decisions : the power or right to direct or control someone or something
: the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people
: a quality that makes something seem true or real

AUTHORITY Defined for Kids

authority

play

noun au·thor·i·ty \ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē\

Definition of authority for Students

plural

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

noun au·thor·i·ty

Legal Definition of authority

plural

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