the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
"the government reduced taxes"
"the matter was referred to higher authorities"
plural of authority
"After the earthquake, local authorities were quickly mobilized to distribute emergency supplies to the affected neighborhoods."
The bodies that have political or administrative power and control in a particular sphere
In plain English: Authorities are people or groups with official power to make rules and enforce laws.
"The authorities arrived at the scene to investigate the accident."
Usage: Use authorities to refer collectively to government agencies, police forces, or other official bodies with the power to enforce laws and regulations. Do not use it for individual experts unless they are acting in an official capacity representing such institutions.
Derived from the Latin auctoritas, this plural noun originally referred to the power or influence that commands respect and obedience. It evolved from the root meaning of one who speaks with weight, eventually signifying those in charge or official bodies possessing such authority.