Authority Definition & Meaning
authority
- noun
- the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the state"
- (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others; "the authorities have issued a curfew"
- an expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an authority on corporate law"
- 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"
- an administrative unit of government; "the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority"
- official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"
- an authoritative written work; "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"
"Authority" in song lyrics
See how authority is used in real songs:
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"My guns part authority"
Akinyele f/ Curly — Sha La La -
"Empower myself to be my own authority"
— Remind My Soul -
"To the God who's strong with authority"
The Ambassador f/ The Tonic — Honor & Glory
Words that rhyme with authority
Usage tips for "authority"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "authority" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for authority to find words that pair well.