Authority meaning

What does “authority” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“authority” is a noun with 7 meanings. Its most common meaning is: the power or right to give orders or make decisions.

authority

the power or right to give orders or make decisions
“he has the authority to issue warrants”
“deputies are given authorization to make arrests”
Synonymsauthorization authorisation potency dominance say-so
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
“the authorities have issued a curfew”
an expert whose views are taken as definitive
“he is an authority on corporate law”
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”
Synonymsassurance self-assurance confidence self-confidence sureness
an administrative unit of government
“the Central Intelligence Agency”
“the Census Bureau”
Synonymsagency federal agency government agency bureau office
official permission or approval
“authority for the program was renewed several times”
Synonymsauthorization authorisation sanction
an authoritative written work
“this book is the final authority on the life of Milton”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University