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

The Morgan Art Foundation said that when Indiana granted power of attorney to Thomas, the door was left wide open for McKenzie to exploit the artist’s output. —News Desk, Artforum, 27 Apr. 2026

He currently is listed as power of attorney for health and finances on her trust but that needs to stop. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026

Relatives of several elders — adult children, a sister and family members with power of attorney — told the Herald they were never told when or where their loved one was relocated. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026

Attorney Taylor Spooner will discuss powers of attorney, wills, trusts and basic Medicaid eligibility. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

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)