0 the moral or legal right or ability to control:
the health authority
She spoke with authority (= as if she was in control or had special knowledge).
He has no authority over (= ability to control) his students.
[ + to infinitive ] I'll give my lawyers authority (= permission) to act on my behalf.
They've been acting illegally and without authority (= permission) from the council.
We need to get the support of someone in authority (= an important or high-ranking person).
The United Nations has used/exerted/exercised its authority to restore peace in the area.
3 the official power to make decisions for other people or to tell them what they must do:
authority over sb The accrediting board is the legal body with authority over the institution.
the authority to do sth The federal government has the authority to regulate phone service provided over the internet.
He did not have enough authority within the company to make the decision.
The Executive Committee can delegate authority to the Chairperson.
4 official permission or the legal right to do something:
5 an official organization, often created by the government, which is responsible for managing a particular duty or service:
On this account, conven tions not only guide legal of ficials to the appropriate authorities, but they would impose obligations upon them to do so.
In addition, cooperation between different authorities and contacts with mass media are mandatory.
The case was brought before the military authorities in 875\1470.
The identification of this common good is made, in the last resort, by political authorities.
Local authorities clearly seem most concerned with civil society activity in areas of political opposition.
In any event, the authorities tried to hold an e election to give the facade of democracy, while ensuring that the desired results occurred.
Regulations are rules and directives imposed by authorities to mandate behaviour in accordance with public policy.
On average, each inspector is responsible for 21 schools in six separate local authorities that employ 621 teachers.
