'authority' definitions:

Definition of 'authority'

From: WordNet
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" [syn: authority, authorization, authorisation, potency, dominance, say-so]
noun
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others; "the authorities have issued a curfew"
noun
An expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an authority on corporate law"
noun
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" [syn: assurance, self-assurance, confidence, self-confidence, authority, sureness]
noun
An administrative unit of government; "the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority" [syn: agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, office, authority]
noun
Official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times" [syn: authority, authorization, authorisation, sanction]
noun
An authoritative written work; "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"

Synonyms of 'authority'

From: Moby Thesaurus