Authority Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary authority 3 ENTRIES FOUND:

• authority (noun)
• local authority (noun)
• moral (adjective)

authority /əˈθorəti/ noun plural authorities authority /əˈθorəti/ noun plural authorities 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.
• Does he have the authority to do this? = (US) Does he have authority to do this?
• This office has authority over personnel matters. [=this office has the power to make decisions about personnel matters]
• You don't have authority over me. [=you don't have the power to give me orders]
• The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned.
• “Who gave him the authority to do this?” “He didn't do it on his own authority [=he didn't do it on his own]; he was acting under the authority of the company president.” [=the company president gave him the power to do it]
• No one in authority objected to the plan. = No one in a position of authority objected to the plan. [=no one with official power to make important decisions objected to the plan]
• a figure of authority = an authority figure [=a person who has authority over other people]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples Synonyms see: [1]power 2 [noncount] a : the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people

• She has an air of authority.
• She spoke with authority [=authoritatively] about the history of the building.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : a quality that makes something seem true or real

• His sincerity added much more authority [=credibility] to the story.
• Her southern accent lent authority to her performance.
• His opinions lacked authority.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 authorities [plural] : people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws

• We reported the incident to hospital authorities.
• Local authorities are investigating the accident.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often used with the

• He complained to the authorities [=the police] about the disturbance.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [count] : a person who is an expert on a subject — usually + on

• He is an authority on local history. [=he knows a lot about local history]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [count] : a government organization that has control of a specified activity or area

• She is the director of the city's housing authority.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

have it on good/excellent authority

◊ If you have it on good/excellent authority that something is true, you have been told that it is true by someone you trust and believe.

• I have it on good authority that she is writing a novel.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR

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