local authority
noun
British
: an organization that is in charge of the public services for a community
Examples of local authority in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reform recorded victories across the country, taking over Essex county council in the south, Havering – its first London local authority – and the northern English city of Sunderland.
—
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 10 May 2026
The state also has the ability and will, under my administration, to increase local authority for permitting and planning since those representatives are more intimate with the needs and demands of that region within the state.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
First, arrivals must find a long-term rental contract, then register with a local authority — a 45-day process.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
The ordinance was held in committee again this week as legislators debate whether it can be legally enforced, and the county counselor’s office has declined to sign off on it, citing insufficient local authority to set policy for federal agencies.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Iowa could get rid of townships as a unit of government and eliminate their boards of trustees, transferring their local authority to their respective counties.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 20 Feb. 2026
The stakes may differ, but the disrespect for local authority remains the same.
—Joshua Simmons, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Critics of the move argue the deployments undermine state and local authority and exceed the president's authority under the Constitution.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
The 70-plus-page bill is an omnibus package that would significantly reshape state and local authority over land use, environmental protections and agricultural regulation.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 10 May 2026
The state also has the ability and will, under my administration, to increase local authority for permitting and planning since those representatives are more intimate with the needs and demands of that region within the state.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
First, arrivals must find a long-term rental contract, then register with a local authority — a 45-day process.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
The ordinance was held in committee again this week as legislators debate whether it can be legally enforced, and the county counselor’s office has declined to sign off on it, citing insufficient local authority to set policy for federal agencies.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Iowa could get rid of townships as a unit of government and eliminate their boards of trustees, transferring their local authority to their respective counties.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 20 Feb. 2026
The stakes may differ, but the disrespect for local authority remains the same.
—Joshua Simmons, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Critics of the move argue the deployments undermine state and local authority and exceed the president's authority under the Constitution.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
The 70-plus-page bill is an omnibus package that would significantly reshape state and local authority over land use, environmental protections and agricultural regulation.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Local authority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/local%20authority. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
