authority

noun

1. 1

   official permission or approval

   authority for the program was renewed several times

2. 2

   the power or right to give orders or make decisions

   he has the authority to issue warrants

   deputies are given authorization to make arrests

3. 3

   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

4. 4

   an authoritative written work

   this book is the final authority on the life of Milton

5. 5

   an administrative unit of government

   the Central Intelligence Agency

   the Census Bureau

6. 6

   an expert whose views are taken as definitive

   he is an authority on corporate law

7. 7

   (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others

   the authorities have issued a curfew