AUTHORITY

[noun] - (a person or people who have) the moral or legal right or ability to controlThe United Nations has used/exerted/exercised its authority to restore peace in the area. [U]We need to get the support of someone in authority (= an important or high ranking person). [U]They've been acting illegally and without authority (= permission) from the council. [U]I'll give my lawyers authority (= permission) to act on my behalf. [U + to infinitive]He's got no authority over (= ability to control) his students. [U]She seemed to speak with authority (= as if she was in control or had special knowledge). [U]An authority is a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity.the port/police/health/education authoritythe Atomic Energy AuthorityWe shall abolish the local councils and create a single, central authority.An authority on a subject is an expert on it.She's a world authority on 19th-century Irish history.To have it on someone's authority is to have been told it by them.I have it on Jim's authority that the meeting has been cancelled.We have it on good authority (= Someone who knows has told us) that you're getting married soon.