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authority

Definition of Authority

(noun) Power perceived as legitimate.

Types of Authority

Authority Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: au·thor·i·ty

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /uh-thOR-uh-tee/
  • British English – /aw-thOr-i-tee/

International Phonetic Alphabet

  • American English – /əˈθɔrədi/
  • British English – /ɔːˈθɒrᵻti/

Usage Notes

  • Plural: authorities
  • The analysis of authority in social science was first developed by Max Weber, who identified three ideal types of legitimate authority. Weber identified two types of authority that had dominated previous social organization: traditional authority and charismatic authority. Weber then identified a new type, rational-legal authority, which lead to his theory of bureaucracy.
  • While authority is derived from legitimacy, at times the basis of legitimacy is transitory. For example, de facto governments have authority because of the ability to use force.
  • Also called legitimate power.
  • An (adjective) authoritative or (adjective) authoritarian (adverb) authoritatively source grants (noun) authorization.

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Works Consulted

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Cite the Definition of Authority

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “authority.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved April 19, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/authority/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

authority. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/authority/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “authority.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/authority/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“authority.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/authority/>.