noun · neutral
authority
UK/ɔːˈθɒrəti/US/əˈθɔːrəti/au·THOR·i·ty
An official organization or person that has the power to make decisions and enforce rules.
Examples
“Local authorities are responsible for collecting waste.”
“You must get permission from the relevant authority before you build.”
“The health authority issued new safety guidelines.”
Band 8 sentence
“After the inspection, the local authority ordered the building to close until safety standards were met.”
Collocations
- local authorities
- the authorities
- have authority over
Word family
Common mistakes
the authority decides→the authorities decide
authority = government→authority (a specific agency) / government (the whole executive)
Say it for a higher band
5officials→6government→7+authority
Synonyms
officials
administration
Easily confused
power
“She has the authority to approve the budget.”
Related words
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In Society & Government
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