au·thor·i·ty 
/əˈθorəti/ noun
plural au·thor·i·ties /əˈθorəti/ noun 1 [noncount] : the power to give orders or make decisions : the power or right to direct or control someone or something
▪ Only department managers have the authority [=right, power] to change the schedule. ▪ Does he have the authority to do this? = (US) Does he have authority to do this? ▪ This office has authority over personnel matters. [=this office has the power to make decisions about personnel matters] ▪ You don't have authority over me. [=you don't have the power to give me orders] ▪ The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned. ▪ “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] ▪ 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] ▪ a figure of authority = an authority figure [=a person who has authority over other people] synonyms 1power 2 [noncount] a : the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people
▪ She has an air of authority. ▪ She spoke with authority [=authoritatively] about the history of the building.
b : a quality that makes something seem true or real
▪ His sincerity added much more authority [=credibility] to the story. ▪ Her southern accent lent authority to her performance. ▪ His opinions lacked authority. 3 authorities [plural] : people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws
▪ We reported the incident to hospital authorities. ▪ Local authorities are investigating the accident. — often used with the ▪ He complained to the authorities [=the police] about the disturbance. 4 [count] : a person who is an expert on a subject — usually + on ▪ 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
▪ She is the director of the city's housing authority.
▪ Only department managers have the authority [=right, power] to change the schedule. ▪ Does he have the authority to do this? = (US) Does he have authority to do this? ▪ This office has authority over personnel matters. [=this office has the power to make decisions about personnel matters] ▪ You don't have authority over me. [=you don't have the power to give me orders] ▪ The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned. ▪ “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] ▪ 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] ▪ a figure of authority = an authority figure [=a person who has authority over other people] synonyms 1power
▪ She has an air of authority. ▪ She spoke with authority [=authoritatively] about the history of the building.
b : a quality that makes something seem true or real
▪ His sincerity added much more authority [=credibility] to the story. ▪ Her southern accent lent authority to her performance. ▪ His opinions lacked authority.
▪ We reported the incident to hospital authorities. ▪ Local authorities are investigating the accident. — often used with the ▪ He complained to the authorities [=the police] about the disturbance.
▪ 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.
▪ I have it on good authority that she is writing a novel.
