Definition of "authority" in English

noun

1. (uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.

   • I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
   • Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.
   • She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.
   • Respect my authority!

2. (plural) Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.

   • Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.

3. (countable) A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.

   • the world's foremost authority on orangutans
   • My cheap dictionary is not the authority on word derivations.
   • To punish me for my contempt of authority, Fate has made me an authority myself.

4. (uncountable) Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.

   • Due to being inadequate for the deductive method of reasoning, the argument from authority is considered a logical fallacy.

5. (uncountable) Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.

6. (countable) A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.

   • New York Port Authority
   • Chicago Transit Authority