authority

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

noun

, plural au·thor·i·ties.

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 Words From

• an·ti·au·thor·i·ty 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

Homicide investigators arrested a 19-year-old suspect after four people were fatally shot and left inside a burning Lancaster home in the early hours of Saturday morning, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

A reputed member of the Mexican Mafia was wounded in a shooting Saturday that left a second man dead in Los Angeles County, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Australia is pushing authorities to be open about their investigation into the incident.

From BBC

Last week, Vietnamese authorities said Temu and Shein needed to register with the government before the end of the month or face a ban.

From BBC

“I voluntarily responded to the call of police officers with whom I came to Novi Sad and made myself available to the investigative authorities,” he posted on social media.

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.