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- Dictionaryauthority/ɔːˈθɒrɪti/
noun
- 1. the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience: "he had absolute authority over his subordinates" Similar
- 2. a person or organization having political or administrative power and control: "health authorities issued a worldwide alert" Similar
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AUTHORITY definition: 1. the moral or legal right or ability to control: 2. a group of people with official…. Learn more.
The meaning of AUTHORITY is power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior. How to use authority in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Authority.
authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. influence is a personal and unofficial ...
[countable, usually plural] the people or an organization who have the power to make decisions or who have a particular area of responsibility in a country or region. I have to report this to the authorities. The health authorities are investigating the problem. planning/police/immigration authorities.
AUTHORITY meaning: 1. the moral or legal right or ability to control: 2. a group of people with official…. Learn more.
If you have the authority to do something, you have the right or power to do it. You are the big cheese. Or, if you know more about a topic than most, you are an authority on that topic. Giving someone authority grants them the power to make important decisions or have accepted opinions.
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)
Britannica Dictionary definition of AUTHORITY. 1. [noncount] : the power to give orders or make decisions : the power or right to direct or control someone or something. Only department managers have the authority [= right, power] to change the schedule.
the quality of being confident and being able to control people: She has an air of authority. an authority on sth. someone who has a lot of knowledge about a particular subject: She is an authority on seventeenth-century English literature. See also. local authority.
There are ten meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun authority. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.