authority
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
authorities
plural
authorities
Britannica Dictionary definition of AUTHORITY
1
[noncount]
:
the power to give orders or make decisions
:
the power or right to direct or control someone or something
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Only department managers have the authority [=right, power] to change the schedule.
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Does he have the authority to do this? = (US) Does he have authority to do this?
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This office has authority over personnel matters. [=this office has the power to make decisions about personnel matters]
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You don't have authority over me. [=you don't have the power to give me orders]
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The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned.
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“Who gave him the authority to do this?” “He didn't do it on his own authority [=he didn't do it on his own]; he was acting under the authority of the company president.” [=the company president gave him the power to do it]
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No one in authority objected to the plan. = No one in a position of authority objected to the plan. [=no one with official power to make important decisions objected to the plan]
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a figure of authority = an authority figure [=a person who has authority over other people]
2
[noncount]
a
:
the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people
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She has an air of authority.
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She spoke with authority [=authoritatively] about the history of the building.
b
:
a quality that makes something seem true or real
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His sincerity added much more authority [=credibility] to the story.
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Her southern accent lent authority to her performance.
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His opinions lacked authority.
3
authorities
[plural]
:
people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws
— often used with the
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We reported the incident to hospital authorities.
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Local authorities are investigating the accident.
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He complained to the authorities [=the police] about the disturbance.
4
[count]
:
a person who is an expert on a subject
— usually + on
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He is an authority on local history. [=he knows a lot about local history]
5
[count]
:
a government organization that has control of a specified activity or area
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She is the director of the city's housing authority.
have it on good/excellent authority
◊ If you have it on good/excellent authority that something is true, you have been told that it is true by someone you trust and believe.
-
I have it on good authority that she is writing a novel.
