authority

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

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of authority

plural authorities

1 a : power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

the president's authority

b : freedom granted by one in authority : right

Who gave you the authority to do as you wish?

2 a : persons in command; specifically : government

the local authorities of each state

b : a governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise

the transit authority

the city's housing authority

3 a : grounds, warrant

had excellent authority for believing the claim

b : convincing force

lent authority to the performance

4 a (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) : testimony

c : 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

An infant girl died Saturday after she was mauled by a dog in a Sherman Oaks home, authorities said.

— city news service, latimes.com, "Baby girl in Sherman Oaks dies after being mauled by a dog," 6 May 2018
The sniper-style gunman who shot two people on a Georgia highway before taking his own life was allegedly influenced by the Parkland shooter, authorities said.

— zachary hansen, ajc, "Georgia sniper idolized Parkland shooter, sheriff says," 6 May 2018
McCoy shot 33-year-old Jason Hoops after authorities say Hoops refused repeated orders to put his hands on the vehicle's dash.

— staff, cleveland.com, "Comment here on cleveland.com court and crime stories for Sunday, May 6, 2018," 6 May 2018
Toxic air replaced molten lava as the top concern for some Hawaiians on the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday night after the Kilauea volcano appeared to mellow out following two days of eruptions, authorities said.

— dennis romero /, NBC News, "Hawaii volcano mellows, opening door to return for some evacuees," 6 May 2018
Paramedics responded shortly before 8:40 a.m. to 127 Windward Circle and rushed the patient to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

— daytona beach news-journal, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Mount Dora man electrocuted while working on roof in Ormond Beach," 5 May 2018
Thanks to a helpful bystander, police in Ohio were able to apprehend an armed man who was trying to run away from them, authorities say.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Bystander Saves the Day After Tripping Armed Man Who Was Running Away from the Police," 5 May 2018
Wakefield was taken into custody by Harris County deputy constables, who also assisted Tampa police officers with apprehending Gamble, authorities said.

— jay r. jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Houston woman accused of Florida, Texas spending sprees on stolen credit cards," 4 May 2018
The suspect fled the scene after the shooting and authorities said a manhunt was underway.

— aamer madhani, USA TODAY, "ATF agent shot, critically injured in Chicago during investigation," 4 May 2018

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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4a

See Words from the same year

authority Synonyms

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

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

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

2 a : 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

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 pl.