Authority
noun
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
The teacher has the authority to control the classroom.
Often appears as...
- authority of the teacher
- authority over someone
noun
A person or organization having power or control in a particular area or field.
The local health authority.
Often appears as...
- local authority
- health authority
noun
The power to influence others because of one's knowledge or experience.
She is an authority on physics.
Often appears as...
- authority on a subject
- recognized authority
noun
The right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another.
They had the authority to arrest suspects.
Often appears as...
- authority to act
- delegated authority
Usage tips
Legal
noun
A book or other source able to supply reliable information or evidence, typically to settle a dispute.
This research paper is a reliable authority on climate change.
Often appears as...
- trusted authority
- reliable authority
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
The teacher has the authority to control the classroom.
Often appears as...
- authority of the teacher
- authority over someone
noun
A person or organization having power or control in a particular area or field.
The local health authority.
Often appears as...
- local authority
- health authority
noun
The power to influence others because of one's knowledge or experience.
She is an authority on physics.
Often appears as...
- authority on a subject
- recognized authority
noun
The right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another.
They had the authority to arrest suspects.
Often appears as...
- authority to act
- delegated authority
Usage tips
Legal
noun
A book or other source able to supply reliable information or evidence, typically to settle a dispute.
This research paper is a reliable authority on climate change.
Often appears as...
- trusted authority
- reliable authority
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Hierarchy Implied
Using 'authority' often implies a hierarchical structure where one has power over others.
The manager's authority is unquestioned.
Pro Tip 2/2Context of Enforcement
'Authority' suggests not just power, but the ability and right to enforce rules or decisions.
The security officer has the authority to enforce the club's rules.
Pro Tip 1/2Hierarchy Implied
Using 'authority' often implies a hierarchical structure where one has power over others.
The manager's authority is unquestioned.
Pro Tip 2/2Context of Enforcement
'Authority' suggests not just power, but the ability and right to enforce rules or decisions.
The security officer has the authority to enforce the club's rules.
Pro Tip 1/2Hierarchy Implied
Using 'authority' often implies a hierarchical structure where one has power over others.
The manager's authority is unquestioned.
Pro Tip 2/2Context of Enforcement
'Authority' suggests not just power, but the ability and right to enforce rules or decisions.
The security officer has the authority to enforce the club's rules.
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Video examples
Boniface Mwangi: The day...
Kenya's poor are five times more likely to be shot dead by the police who are meant to protect them than by criminals. This was reinforced by the political climate of the day. We had a president, Moi, who was a dictator. He ruled the country with an iron fist, and anyone who dared question his authority
Video examples
Why wasn’t the Bill of...
But others felt the Constitution was overreaching and that more centralized authority would return the states to the sort of tyranny they had just escaped. These Anti-Federalists were especially worried by the text's apparent lack of protections for individual liberties. As the conventions proceeded,
Video examples
How to speak so that...
and with authority. That's register. Then we have timbre. It's the way your voice feels. Again, the research shows that we prefer voices which are rich, smooth, warm, like hot chocolate. Well if that's not you, that's not the end of the world, because you can train.
Video examples
How great leaders...
those that are made by a higher authority and those that are made by men. And not until all the laws that are made by men are consistent with the laws made by the higher authority will we live in a just world. It just so happened that the Civil Rights Movement
Video examples
Flat Earth vs. Round...
part of a giant studio set all the world's a stage and you're on it I still don't understand that like who's gaining from all this from this larger exclusive the highest authority higher than presidents this super-rich people that
Video examples
Love and hormones PIPE...
they're cautious they're calm is why you take something like prozac or paxil to drive up the serotonin system to make you calm er they follow the rules they respect authority they like plans and rules and schedules they like to be
Video examples
How do you know whom to...
helps us gain knowledge, but, it doesn't always. Even the most highly respected authorities can turn out to be wrong. Occasionally this happens because a highly respected authority is dishonest and claims to know something
Video examples
A brief history of...
As alcohol consumption became part of everyday life, some authorities latched onto effects they perceived as positive— Greek physicians considered wine to be good for health, and poets testified to its creative qualities.
Video examples
Elon Musk talks Twitter,...
powerful government authorities they'd rather they'd rather buy into your to a dream do do you like aren't you encouraged by people just just to edit that in that you know temptation out and uh go with the bigger story
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
big authorities these birds mate for life and the male reaffirms the bond by displaying to the
Video examples
Boniface Mwangi: The day...
Kenya's poor are five times more likely to be shot dead by the police who are meant to protect them than by criminals. This was reinforced by the political climate of the day. We had a president, Moi, who was a dictator. He ruled the country with an iron fist, and anyone who dared question his authority
Video examples
Why wasn’t the Bill of...
But others felt the Constitution was overreaching and that more centralized authority would return the states to the sort of tyranny they had just escaped. These Anti-Federalists were especially worried by the text's apparent lack of protections for individual liberties. As the conventions proceeded,
Video examples
How to speak so that...
and with authority. That's register. Then we have timbre. It's the way your voice feels. Again, the research shows that we prefer voices which are rich, smooth, warm, like hot chocolate. Well if that's not you, that's not the end of the world, because you can train.
Video examples
How great leaders...
those that are made by a higher authority and those that are made by men. And not until all the laws that are made by men are consistent with the laws made by the higher authority will we live in a just world. It just so happened that the Civil Rights Movement
Video examples
Flat Earth vs. Round...
part of a giant studio set all the world's a stage and you're on it I still don't understand that like who's gaining from all this from this larger exclusive the highest authority higher than presidents this super-rich people that
Video examples
Love and hormones PIPE...
they're cautious they're calm is why you take something like prozac or paxil to drive up the serotonin system to make you calm er they follow the rules they respect authority they like plans and rules and schedules they like to be
Video examples
How do you know whom to...
helps us gain knowledge, but, it doesn't always. Even the most highly respected authorities can turn out to be wrong. Occasionally this happens because a highly respected authority is dishonest and claims to know something
Video examples
A brief history of...
As alcohol consumption became part of everyday life, some authorities latched onto effects they perceived as positive— Greek physicians considered wine to be good for health, and poets testified to its creative qualities.
Video examples
Elon Musk talks Twitter,...
powerful government authorities they'd rather they'd rather buy into your to a dream do do you like aren't you encouraged by people just just to edit that in that you know temptation out and uh go with the bigger story
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
big authorities these birds mate for life and the male reaffirms the bond by displaying to the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
John Adams
American President
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
Quote examples
Galileo Galilei
Italian Scientist
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.
Quote examples
Richard Seymour
American Athlete
I've always respected the authority figures in my life, including my coaches.
Quote examples
Martha Beck
American Author
People are so afraid of authority figures and doctors are authority figures.
Quote examples
Ken Blanchard
American Businessman
The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.
Quote examples
Sylvie Guillem
French Dancer
I just don't like authority. I do like authority when I respect it.
Quote examples
Jim Morrison
American Singer
When you make your peace with authority, you become authority.
Quote examples
Francis Bacon
English Philosopher
Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.
Quote examples
Fred Willard
American Comedian
I have great respect for the authorities.
Quote examples
Plato
Greek Philosopher
The wisest have the most authority.
Quote examples
John Adams
American President
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.
Quote examples
Galileo Galilei
Italian Scientist
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.
Quote examples
Richard Seymour
American Athlete
I've always respected the authority figures in my life, including my coaches.
Quote examples
Martha Beck
American Author
People are so afraid of authority figures and doctors are authority figures.
Quote examples
Ken Blanchard
American Businessman
The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.
Quote examples
Sylvie Guillem
French Dancer
I just don't like authority. I do like authority when I respect it.
Quote examples
Jim Morrison
American Singer
When you make your peace with authority, you become authority.
Quote examples
Francis Bacon
English Philosopher
Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.
Quote examples
Fred Willard
American Comedian
I have great respect for the authorities.
Quote examples
Plato
Greek Philosopher
The wisest have the most authority.
Example 1 of 10
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