authority

noun

1. the power or right to give orders or make decisions"he has the authority to issue warrants"
2. (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others"the authorities have issued a curfew"
3. an expert whose views are taken as definitive"he is an authority on corporate law"
4. freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities"his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"
5. an administrative unit of government"the Central Intelligence Agency"
6. official permission or approval"authority for the program was renewed several times"
7. an authoritative written work"this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"