authority

noun

au·thor·i·ty | \ ə-ˈthär-ə-tē

, ȯ-, -ˈthȯr-\

plural authorities

Definition of authority

1a : power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior the president's authority

b : freedom granted by one in authority : right Who gave you the authority to do as you wish?

2a : persons in command specifically : government the local authorities of each state

b : a governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise the transit authority the city's housing authority

3a : grounds, warrant had excellent authority for believing the claim

b : convincing force lent authority to the performance

4a(1) : a citation (as from a book or file) used in defense or support

(2) : the source from which the citation is drawn He quoted extensively from the Bible, his sole authority.

b(1) : a conclusive statement or set of statements (such as an official decision of a court)

(2) : a decision taken as a precedent

(3) : testimony

c : an individual cited or appealed to as an expert The prosecutor called the psychiatrist as an authority.