authority

[uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-]

noun

plural

authorities 

1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

   Synonyms: persuasion, sway, power, rule

2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization.

   Who has the authority to grant permission?

3. a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency.

   The housing authority provides rental assistance payments to low-income residents.

   The bridges and piers are built and maintained by the Port Authority.

   Synonyms: arbiter, sovereign

4. Usually authorities persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government.

   They finally persuaded the authorities that they were not involved in espionage.

5. an accepted source of information, advice, etc..

   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading authority on vaccines and immunizations.

6. a quotation or citation from such a source.

7. an expert on a subject.

   He is an authority on baseball.

8. persuasive force; cogency.

   She spoke with authority.

9. a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; a ruling.

10. right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence.

    the authority of a parent;

    the authority of a great writer.

11. mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.

12. a warrant for action; justification.

13. testimony; witness.

authority

/ ɔːˈθɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others

2. (often plural) a person or group of people having this power, such as a government, police force, etc

3. a position that commands such a power or right (often in the phrase in authority )

4. such a power or right delegated, esp from one person to another; authorization

   she has his authority

5. the ability to influence or control others

   a man of authority

6. an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field

   he is an authority on Ming china

7. evidence or testimony

   we have it on his authority that she is dead

8. confidence resulting from great expertise

   the violinist lacked authority in his cadenza

9. (capital when part of a name) a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise

   Independent Broadcasting Authority

10. law

    1. a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent

    2. legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act

Other Word Forms

• antiauthority adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authority¹

First recorded in 1200–50; earlier auct(h)oritie, from Latin auctōritās “power, influence, prestige,” equivalent to auctor “authority, originator, supporter” ( author ) + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of authority¹

C14: from French autorité, from Latin auctōritas, from auctor _author

Example Sentences

An Orange County woman faces five felony charges after she was accused of paw-litical fraud by registering her dog to vote and illegally casting ballots for the pooch in two elections, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

But Max can potentially allow the authorities to read your messages as well - and avoiding the app is getting harder.

From BBC

Each of Monguia’s remarks “constituted an abuse of authority” and violated the judicial rules of conduct, according to the commission’s statement on the findings.

From Los Angeles Times

But she says results are also quite easy to fake, pointing to a 2019 probe by US authorities into a sunscreen testing laboratory which resulted in the owner being jailed for fraud.

From BBC

Recasting a government is an exercise in authority and jeopardy – and that's just for the prime minister.

From BBC

Related Words

• force 
• government 
• jurisdiction 
• rule 

When To Use

What are other ways to say authority?

The noun authority refers to the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues. When should you use this noun over control or influence? Find out on Thesaurus.com.