authority

n. power, control, jurisdiction

In politics, authority (Latin auctoritas, used in Roman law as opposed to potestas and imperium) is often used interchangeably with the term "power". However, their meanings differ: while "power" refers to the ability to achieve certain ends, "authority" refers to the legitimacy, justification and right to exercise that power. For example, whilst a mob has the power to punish a criminal, such as through lynching, only the courts have the authority to order capital punishment.
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Noun
1. the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"
(synonym) authorization, authorisation, dominance, say-so
(hypernym) control
(hyponym) power of appointment
2. (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others; "the authorities have issued a curfew"
(hypernym) person, individual, someone, somebody, mortal, human, soul
(hyponym) abrogator
(classification) plural, plural form
3. an expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an authority on corporate law"
(hypernym) expert
(hyponym) adviser, advisor, consultant
4. 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"
(synonym) assurance, self-assurance, confidence, self-confidence, sureness
(hypernym) certainty
(attribute) certain(p), sure
5. an administrative unit of government; "the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority"
(synonym) agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, office
(hypernym) administrative unit, administrative body
(hyponym) Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL
6. official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"
(synonym) authorization, authorisation, sanction
(hypernym) permission
7. an authoritative written work; "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"
(hypernym) book
(hyponym) last word

(n.)
The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
  

(n.)
That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
  

(n.)
Testimony; witness.
  

(n.)
Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
  

(n.)
Justification; warrant.
  

(n.)
Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
  

(n.)
A precedent; a decision of a court, an official declaration, or an opinion, saying, or statement worthy to be taken as a precedent.
  

(n.)
A book containing such a statement or opinion, or the author of the book.
  

noun
(a) power to act
to abuse one's authority = to use powers in an illegal, harmful way
(b) official body which controls an area, region
see also DISTRICT, HEALTH, REGIONAL