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

Michelmores announced the promotion of Gemma Shepherd, who advises individuals, families, business owners, and trustees on a variety of matters, including lifetime succession planning, wills, powers of attorney, and complex estate administration. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Travelers should prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and power of attorney. —Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025

In 2020, Graham assumed the role of his mother’s power of attorney, which obligated him to act in her best interest. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025

The mobile consulate will be able to issue passports, citizenship cards, identification cards, consular cards, civil registration, exit permits, special powers of attorney, certifications, authentication of copies of documents and survival certificates. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 29 Apr. 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)