Definition of authority:

• In contracts. The lawful delegation of power by one person to another. In the English law relating to public administration, an authority is a body having jurisdiction in certain matters of a public nature. In governmental law. Legal power; a right to command or to act; the right and power of public officers to require obedience to their orders lawfully issued in the scope of their public duties. Authority to execute a deed must be given by deed. Com. Dig. “Attorney,” C, 5; 4 Term, 313; 7 Term, 207; 1 Holt, 141; Blood v. Goodrich, 9 Wend. ( N. Y.) 68, 75, 24 Am. Dec. 121; Banorgee v. Hovey, 5 Mass. 11, 4 Am. Dec. 17; Cooper v. Rankin, 5 Bin. ( Pa.) 613.
• an administrative unit of government; " the Central Intelligence Agency"; " the Census Bureau"; " Office of Management and Budget"; " Tennessee Valley Authority"
• 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"
• ( usually plural) persons who exercise ( administrative) control over others; " the authorities have issued a curfew"
• an expert whose views are taken as definitive; " he is an authority on corporate law"
• Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
• Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
• The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
• That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
• Testimony; witness.
• A precedent; a decision of a court, an official declaration, or an opinion, saying, or statement worthy to be taken as a precedent.
• Justification; warrant.
• Power or right to act or command; dominion; power derived from respect or reputation; influence; justification or support for statement or action; a person with, or given, power to act or command; a ruler; one to whom appeal or reference can be made.
• Legal power or right: power derived from office or character: weight of testimony: permission:- pl. AUTHORITIES, precedents: opinions or sayings carrying weight: persons in power.
• Power; sway; rule; source; permission.
• The right to command; power; control.
• A ruler or rulers; that which commands confidence.
• Legal power, or a right to command or to act; one, or in the plural, people, invested with this power; power, weight, or influence derived from rank, office, character, age, experience, & c.; what has power to determine on the ground of knowledge, credibility, or character; precedent, or official declaration.
• Legal power; rule; influence; credit.

Usage examples for authority

1. " What a beautiful study it must be," she said with authority.  The Mettle of the Pasture by James Lane Allen

2. The girl was not once spoken to except in a tone of anger or offensive authority.  Home Scenes, and Home Influence A Series of Tales and Sketches by T. S. Arthur

3. Who gives him authority to take money from people?  The History of London by Walter Besant

4. This depends, of course; on one's view of " authority."  The Inside of the Cup, Complete by Winston Churchill Last Updated: March 5, 2009