authorities Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
   regime; government.
   
   • the government reduced taxes
   • the matter was referred to higher authorities
2. noun the power or right to give orders or make decisions
   potency; authority; say-so; authorisation; dominance; authorization.
   
   • he has the authority to issue warrants
   • deputies are given authorization to make arrests
   • a place of potency in the state
3. noun (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
   authority.
   
   • the authorities have issued a curfew
4. noun an expert whose views are taken as definitive
   authority.
   
   • he is an authority on corporate law
5. noun freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
   confidence; self-confidence; self-assurance; authority; sureness; assurance.
   
   • his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular
   • after that failure he lost his confidence
   • she spoke with authority
6. noun an administrative unit of government
   office; agency; authority; bureau; federal agency; government agency.
   
   • the Central Intelligence Agency
   • the Census Bureau
   • Office of Management and Budget
   • Tennessee Valley Authority
7. noun official permission or approval
   authorisation; authorization; authority; sanction.
   
   • authority for the program was renewed several times
8. noun an authoritative written work
   authority.
   
   • this book is the final authority on the life of Milton

WordNet