authority

noun

au·thor·i·ty | \ ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē

, ȯ-, -ˈthär-\

plural authorities

Definition of authority

1a : 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?

2a : 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

3a : grounds, warrant had excellent authority for believing the claim

b : 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) : testimony

c : an individual cited or appealed to as an expert The prosecutor called the psychiatrist as an authority.

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about authority

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Two Central Florida women were sentenced to federal prison this week for ripping off elderly people through credit-card fraud and each ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution, authorities said. — Jerry Fallstrom, orlandosentinel.com, "Two women sentenced to federal prison in $800K ripoff of elderly," 7 Sep. 2019 Edmond had cooperated with authorities over nearly two decades, helping them understand the workings of the drug trade and convict some 100 other dealers, prosecutors said. — Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, "Prosecutors request ’80s drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III’s life sentence be reduced to 40 years," 6 Sep. 2019 However, the right to open a meeting with a non-sectarian prayer acknowledging that there is an authority or standard of good above our own individual desires and priorities is a vitally important historic and Constitutional precedent. — Jon Kelvey, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Maryland legislators lobby Carroll commissioners on prayer lawsuit; board to stick with decision to settle," 6 Sep. 2019 Irvine police rescued the woman after her mother-in-law requested a welfare check, authorities said. — Julia Sclafani, Daily Pilot, "Four people, including residents of H.B. and Newport, plead not guilty in Irvine woman’s kidnapping," 5 Sep. 2019 If French authorities considered the bust important enough to tell the U.S. about it, Lapkiewicz was worth looking into, Bessey thought. — Jani Actman, National Geographic, "Bug smuggling is big business," 5 Sep. 2019 So far, authorities say five people have died, but the death count is expected to rise. — Wired, "Why Hurricane Dorian Defied Forecasts and Sank The Bahamas," 4 Sep. 2019 One firefighter sustained a minor injury responding to the blaze, authorities said. — James Queally, Glendale News-Press, "Two men accused of setting blaze at Eagle Rock homeless encampment that grew into brush fire," 4 Sep. 2019 To address this, the researchers worked with local non-profit groups and local authorities to provide a bundle of services to randomly selected recipients in an area of Seattle and its suburbs. — The Economist, "How helping families relocate could increase economic mobility," 4 Sep. 2019

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.

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More Definitions for authority

authority

noun

English Language Learners Definition of authority

: 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

See the full definition for authority in the English Language Learners Dictionary

authority

noun

au·thor·i·ty | \ ə-ˈthȯr-ə-tē

plural authorities

Kids Definition of authority

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?

authority

noun

au·thor·i·ty

plural authorities

Legal Definition of authority

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

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