Definition of AUTHORITY

authority

Plural: authorities

Noun

  • the power or right to give orders or make decisions
    • "he has the authority to issue warrants"
  • (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
  • an expert whose views are taken as definitive
    • "he is an authority on corporate law"
  • freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
    • "she spoke with authority"
  • an administrative unit of government
    • "Tennessee Valley Authority"
  • official permission or approval
    • "authority for the program was renewed several times"
  • an authoritative written work
    • "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"
  • Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.
  • Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
  • A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
  • Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
  • Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
  • A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.

Examples

  • Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.
  • Chicago Transit Authority
  • Due to being inadequate for the deductive method of reasoning, the argument from authority is considered a logical fallacy.
  • I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
  • My cheap dictionary is not the authority on word derivations.
  • New York Port Authority
  • Respect my authority!
  • She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.
  • the world's foremost authority on orangutans
  • Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English auctorite, autorite (“authority, book or quotation that settles an argument”), from Old French auctorité, from Latin stem of auctōritās (“invention, advice, opinion, influence, command”), from auctor (“master, leader, author”). For the presence of the h, compare the etymology of author.

Synonyms

agency, assurance, authorisation, authorization, bureau, confidence, dominance, federal agency, government agency, office, potency, sanction, say-so, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness, command, cred, gravitas, rulership, sovereignty

Scrabble Score: 15

authority: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
authority: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
authority: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

authority: valid Words With Friends Word