authority
/ɔːˈθɒrɪti
/noun (plural authorities)
1 [mass noun] The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience: he had absolute authority over his subordinates a rebellion against those in authority...
- That is vital if soldiers are to trust those in authority over them.
- And this fact will, no doubt, be trumpeted as a success by those set in authority over us.
- You may clash with somebody in authority over an important and complex matter in what could turn out to be a difficult period.
Synonyms
power, jurisdiction, command, control, mastery, charge, dominance, dominion, rule, sovereignty, ascendancy, supremacy, domination;
influence, sway, the upper hand, leverage, hold, grip
informal clout, pull, muscle, teeth
North American informal drag
1.1 [often with infinitive] The right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another: military forces have the legal authority to arrest drug traffickers...
- It is our right to determine who enters the country and we democratically delegate the authority to uphold this right to the Federal government.
- We can delegate the authority to train and bring up our children to someone else but never the responsibility.
- And when I delegate responsibility, I delegate the authority to go along with it.
Synonyms
authorization, right, power, mandate, prerogative, licence;
French carte blanche
Law, historical droit
1.2Official permission; sanction: the money was spent without parliamentary authority...
- The accused approached government officials, seeking authority to leave the country.
- No change of the publication regime is planned, his staff discovers, and the officials involved have no authority to issue any print licenses.
- And agents do not have permission and have no authority, no jurisdiction to work on Jordanian soil.
Synonyms
authorization, permission, consent, leave, sanction, licence, dispensation, assent, acquiescence, agreement, approval, seal of approval, approbation, endorsement, imprimatur, clearance
informal the go-ahead, the thumbs up, the OK, the green light, say-so
rare permit
2 (often authorities) A person or organization having political or administrative power and control: health authorities issued a worldwide alert...
- Apart from the politicians and the health authorities, economists are also worried.
- These, then, are the various powers under which governmental authorities may act.
- They are also calling for powers to allow authorities to intervene to protect young people who are at risk from drugs.
Synonyms
officials, officialdom, the people in charge, the government, the administration, the establishment, the bureaucracy, the system;
the police
informal the powers that be, the (men in) suits, Big Brother
3 [mass noun] The power to influence others, especially because of one’s commanding manner or one’s recognized knowledge about something: he has the natural authority of one who is used to being obeyed...
- One man in particular stood out amongst them, standing with authority and giving commands to anyone who came near.
- He rose quickly in an army which appreciated his soldierly presence and natural authority.
- But my enthusiasm waned slightly as I began to realise there are only so many colours that can be cited as ‘lucky’ with authority.
Synonyms
influence, sway, control, leverage, power, command, weight;
reputation, standing, kudos, status, stature, prestige, gravitas, image, esteem;
supremacy, superiority, eminence;
rank, position, station;
credibility, plausibility, integrity;
acceptance, trust, faith, confidence
informal clout, pull
North American informal drag
3.1The confidence resulting from personal expertise: he hit the ball with authority...
- He strikes the ball around the table with great authority and confidence.
- He controlled his goal area with confidence and authority and dealt expertly with every situation.
- He looked as suave as when we first dated, dressed in a sharp suit, walking with an air of confidence and authority.
3.2 [count noun] A person with extensive or specialized knowledge about a subject; an expert: he was an authority on the stock market...
- The early Dissenters and Separatists of the late 15th century were his specialist study, and he became an authority on this subject.
- Names are so hard to get right - and he is an authority on the subject.
- She has been 6 years with this work and is clearly now an authority on the subject.
Synonyms
expert, specialist, professional, pundit, oracle, past master, master, maestro, doyen, adept;
guru, sage, scholar;
connoisseur, aficionado, one of the cognoscenti
informal walking encyclopedia, bible, buff, boffin, ace, pro, whizz, wizard
British informal dab hand
North American informal maven, crackerjack
source, reference, piece of documentation;
citation, quotation, quote, excerpt, passage
3.3 [count noun] A book or other source able to supply reliable information or evidence: the court cited a series of authorities supporting their decision...
- None of the books quotes any sources or authorities for its statements, and all have pathetic indexes.
- Changes of this sort would, I feel, help to establish the book as an important authority in this crucial and fast-changing field.
- He was not able to produce any authority in support of his proposition.
Phrases
have something on good authority
Origin
Middle English: from Old French autorite, from Latin auctoritas, from auctor 'originator, promoter' (see author).