ɔːˈθɒɹəti əˈθɔɹəti ˈdɒmɪnəns ˈdɑːmɪnəns ˈmæn.deɪt ˈsæŋkʃən the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant official permission or approval authority for the program was renewed several times the power or right to give orders or make decisions he has the authority to issue warrants deputies are given authorization to make arrests a place of potency in the state a document giving an official instruction or command