authority

noun (POWER)

/ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.ti/

/əˈθɔːr.ɪ.t̬i/

Definition

B2 [U] 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's got no authority over (= ability to control) his students. She spoke with authority (= as if she was in control or had special knowledge).People in charge of or controlling other peopleBosses, managers and directors C1 [C] a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity: the health authority the local housing authorityPeople in charge of or controlling other peopleBosses, managers and directors the authorities [plural] › the group of people with official legal power to make decisions or make people obey the laws in a particular area, such as the police or a local government department: I'm going to report these holes in the road to the authorities.Local government and politics

(Definition of authority noun (POWER) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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