authority meaning and definition

AUTHORITY noun

Definition of authority (noun)

1. the power or right to give orders or make decisions
   • "he has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the state"
   • synonyms: authorisation, authorization, dominance, potency, say-so
2. (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
   • "the authorities have issued a curfew"
3. an expert whose views are taken as definitive
   • "he is an authority on corporate law"
4. freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
   • "his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"; "after that failure he lost his confidence"; "she spoke with authority"
   • synonyms: assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness
5. an administrative unit of government
   • "the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority"
   • synonyms: agency, bureau, federal agency, government agency, office
6. official permission or approval
   • "authority for the program was renewed several times"
   • synonyms: authorisation, authorization, sanction
7. an authoritative written work
   • "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"