Meaning & Definition of Authority in English

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"

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"

5. An administrative unit of government

• "The central intelligence agency"

• "The census bureau"

• "Office of management and budget"

• "Tennessee valley authority"

6. Official permission or approval

• "Authority for the program was renewed several times"

7. An authoritative written work

• "This book is the final authority on the life of milton"