Meaning of authority In English

• 0 the moral or legal right or ability to control:

  • The United Nations has used/exerted/exercised its authority to restore peace in the area.

  • We need to get the support of someone in authority (= an important or high-ranking person).

  • They've been acting illegally and without authority (= permission) from the council.

  • [ + to infinitive ] I'll give my lawyers authority (= permission) to act on my behalf.

  • He has no authority over (= ability to control) his students.

  • She spoke with authority (= as if she was in control or had special knowledge).

  • the health authority

  • the local housing authority

  • I'm going to report these potholes to the authorities.

• 1 an expert on a subject:

  • She's a world authority on 19th-century Irish history.

• 2 the power to control or demand obedience from others:

  • [ U ] The police have no legal authority in these disputes.

  • [ U ] We have to find someone in authority (= a position of power).

  • [ C ] government/church authorities

  • No attacks were reported to the authorities.

  • [ C ] an authority on immigration law

• 3 the official power to make decisions for other people or to tell them what they must do:

  • The Executive Committee can delegate authority to the Chairperson.

  • He did not have enough authority within the company to make the decision.

  • the authority to do sth The federal government has the authority to regulate phone service provided over the internet.

  • authority over sb The accrediting board is the legal body with authority over the institution.

• 4 official permission or the legal right to do something:

  • grant/give sb authority to do sth Under the new plan, counties would be given the authority to raise sales tax levels.

  • the authority to do sth The company had the owner's authority to contract on his behalf.

• 5 an official organization, often created by the government, which is responsible for managing a particular duty or service:

  • the authorities All staff who work at the school must be registered and checked by the authorities.

  • the housing/transit/tax authority The city's housing authority provides assisted housing for more than 130,000 residents.

• 6 the ability to influence other people and make them respect you, especially because you are confident or have a lot of knowledge:

  • When answering questions at a job interview, be sure to speak clearly and with authority.

  • As a manager he lacks authority.

• 7 someone who is an expert on a particular subject, and whose opinions influence other people:

  • an authority on sth Today's speaker is one of the nation's leading authorities on fund-raising for non-profit groups.