Definition of “authority”

noun

1. the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others
2. often plural a person or group of people having this power, such as a government, police force, etc
3. a position that commands such a power or right (often in the phrase in authority)
4. such a power or right delegated, esp from one person to another; authorization ⇒ she has his authority
5. the ability to influence or control others ⇒ a man of authority
6. an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field ⇒ he is an authority on Ming china
7. evidence or testimony ⇒ we have it on his authority that she is dead
8. confidence resulting from great expertise ⇒ the violinist lacked authority in his cadenza
9. capital when part of a name a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise ⇒ Independent Broadcasting Authority
10. (law)
    1. a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent
    2. legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act