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
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Her son Cedric Von Ferdinand, who was her caretaker, has since been slapped with dozens of fraud charges for allegedly assigning himself her power of attorney and forging signatures, among other offenses, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Having the right documents in place – such as a financial power of attorney and health care agent – can prevent lapses in care and help ensure financial continuity. Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 In the months that followed, Von Ferdinand was given power of attorney through documents bearing Jett’s apparent signature and initials. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025 To figure out the answer to one basic question ― would 76-year-old Mary Annabelle Paul, for whom Marlowe-Cox is power of attorney, need to be reassessed in order to qualify for coverage ― took three phone calls to three different call representatives who gave three different answers. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for power of attorney

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of power of attorney was in 1716

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Power of attorney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20of%20attorney. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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)

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