authorities
noun
Definitions
The bodies that have political or administrative power and control in a particular sphere
The bodies that enforce law and order or provide a public service
noun
Definitions
The power to enforce rules or give orders.
Example: I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
(used in singular or plural form) Persons in command; specifically, government.
A person accepted as a source of reliable information on a subject.
Example: the world's foremost authority on orangutans
Government-owned agency which runs a revenue-generating activity.