Authority (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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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.
  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.
  4. 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.
noun plural -ties
  1. the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others
  2. 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
  5. the ability to influence or control others
  6. an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field
  7. evidence or testimony
  8. confidence resulting from great expertise
  9. a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise
  10. law
    • a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent
    • legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act
Authority (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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