Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

authority

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing.These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are morefrequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun British English pronunciation: authority /ɔːˈθɒrəti/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularauthority
pluralauthorities
 
  1. 1
    [countable] someone who is considered an expert in a particular subject
    authority on:

    Charles was an authority on antique musical instruments.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
    1. a.
      something such as a book that people respect because it contains a lot of knowledge about a particular subject
      authority on:

      The book is widely acknowledged to be the authority on regional English expressions.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
  2. 2

    the authorities

     [plural] the police or people in other official organizations with legal power to make people obey laws or rules

    The girl told the authorities that she had been kidnapped from her home.

    The French authorities have refused to issue him a visa.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
  3. 3
    [countable] an organization or institution that controls something, often a public service

    She took her complaint to the local health authority.

    The rules are set by the passenger transport authority.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
    See also  local authority
  4. 4
    [uncountable] the power to make decisions or tell people what to do

    In practice it is difficult for the President to exercise his authority.

    have the authority to do something:

    They don’t have the authority to close the canal.

    authority over:

    Parents have legal authority over their children.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
    1. a.
      the power to influence other people because they respect your opinions or knowledge
      with authority:

      It is a subject on which she can write with authority.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
    2. b.
      the power to make other people obey you because of a quality in the way you speak or behave

      There was a tone of authority in her voice.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority
  5. 5
    [uncountable] formal official permission to do something

    He believed he had authority to ride the bike.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  authorityThesaurus entry for this meaning of authority

This is the British English definition of authority. View American English definition of authority.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

 

showmance

a romantic relationship between two members of the cast of a play, film or television series

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

slime

a thick, wet, unpleasant substance that covers something

Open Dictionary

human-readable

able to be read and understood by people

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog