authority | |
1. n. The power to enforce rules or give orders. | |
I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them. | |
She lost all her respect and authority after turning up drunk to the meeting. | |
Respect my authority! | |
2. n. (used in singular or plural form) Persons in command; specifically, government. | |
3. n. A person accepted as a source of reliable information on a subject. | |
the world's foremost authority on orangutans | |
4. n. Government-owned agency which runs a revenue-generating activity. | |
New York Port Authority | |