power of attorney

noun phrase

: a legal instrument authorizing one to act as the attorney or agent of the grantor

Examples of power of attorney in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider giving loved ones financial power of attorney to handle affairs if needed. —Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

The next category involves uploading legal documents — your Will or revocable living trust documents, your healthcare power of attorney, and your living will, detailing end-of-life instructions. —Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025

The family was unaware Polk held power of attorney. —Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025

But Scheller’s motion offers an alternate narrative — that the woman knowingly granted Hill power of attorney and authorized the subsequent expenses. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for power of attorney

• burnie
• gurney
• journey
• tourney
• mcburney

Legal Definition

power of attorney

: an instrument containing an authorization for one to act as the agent of the principal that terminates especially upon revocation by the principal or death of the principal or agent

called also letter of attorney

— durable power of attorney

: a power of attorney that becomes effective immediately and is not affected by the principal's subsequent incapacity or that becomes effective only upon the principal's incapacity

— general power of attorney

: a power of attorney authorizing the agent to carry on business or an enterprise for the principal compare special power of attorney in this entry

— health care power of attorney

: a power of attorney authorizing an agent to make health care decisions in the event of incapacity

called also medical power of attorney

— irrevocable power of attorney

: a power of attorney that cannot be revoked by the principal

— special power of attorney

: a power of attorney authorizing the agent to carry out a particular business transaction for the principal

— springing power of attorney

: a power of attorney that comes into effect only upon the occurrence of a specified condition (as the incapacity of the principal)