1. (noun) authority, authorization, authorisation, potency, dominance, say-so
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
"he has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the state"
2. (noun) authority
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
"the authorities have issued a curfew"
3. (noun) authority
an expert whose views are taken as definitive
"he is an authority on corporate law"
4. (noun) assurance, self-assurance, confidence, self-confidence, authority, sureness
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"; "she spoke with authority"
5. (noun) agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, office, authority
an administrative unit of government
"the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority"
6. (noun) authority, authorization, authorisation, sanction
official permission or approval
"authority for the program was renewed several times"
7. (noun) authority
an authoritative written work
"this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"
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Definition of 'authority' 
