power of attorney

noun phrase

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In May 2020, her mother’s condition led Stevens to receive power of attorney. —

Austindedios, oregonlive, 26 Apr. 2023 His two brothers have challenged the validity of the power of attorney, court documents show. —

Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Apr. 2023 Her other son, Anthony Gonzales, by means of a power of attorney from his mother, signed the deed on her behalf. —

Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Apr. 2023 An elderly mom names her oldest son her agent under her financial power of attorney. —

Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'power of attorney.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of power of attorney was in 1716

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near power of attorney

power net

power of attorney

power-operate

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Power of attorney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20of%20attorney. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Copy Citation

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)