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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

authority

/əˈθɔɹədi/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does authority mean?

noun

  1. Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.
  2. Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
  3. A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
More meanings (3)

noun

  1. Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
  2. Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
  3. A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/əˈθɔɹədi/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/əˈθɔɹəti//əˈθɔɹti//əˈθɑɹəti//əˈθɑɹti/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

To argue upon abstract principles that this co-ordinate authority cannot exist, is to set up supposition and theory against fact and reality.
Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James MadisonThe Federalist PapersProject Gutenberg ebook #18
It will be remembered that the fundamental point in Javert, his element, the very air he breathed, was veneration for all authority.
Victor HugoLes MisérablesTranslated by Isabel Florence HapgoodProject Gutenberg ebook #135
More book examples (3)
But Farfrae had been so cursed quick in his movements as to give old-fashioned people in authority no chance of the initiative.
Thomas HardyThe Mayor of CasterbridgeProject Gutenberg ebook #143
“Name the authority, and make him name the man of whom I borrowed the money, and then I can disprove the story.”
George EliotMiddlemarchProject Gutenberg ebook #145
To which I replied that I should be glad to see his authority, and know the reason of an address so abrupt.
Robert Louis StevensonRecords of a Family of EngineersProject Gutenberg ebook #280