Noun
1. the power or right to give orders or make decisions;
"he has the authority to issue warrants""deputies are given authorization to make arrests"2. (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others;
"the authorities have issued a curfew"3. an expert whose views are taken as definitive;
"he is an authority on corporate law"4. 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"5. an administrative unit of government;
"the Central Intelligence Agency""the Census Bureau""Office of Management and Budget""Tennessee Valley Authority"6. official permission or approval;
"authority for the program was renewed several times"7. an authoritative written work;
"this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"