authorities
n. C / Un. the people or organizations that have the power to make rules and enforce laws. You usually talk about them when you need permission or when someone breaks the law.
n. the group of people or institutions exercising administrative power and legal control in a particular area. Often used in the plural to refer to government agencies, the police, or local officials.
You must report the accident to the authorities immediately.
The local authorities decided to close the park for repairs after the heavy storm caused significant damage.
Despite several warnings from environmental groups, the authorities failed to implement stricter regulations on industrial waste disposal until the river became visibly polluted.
Almost always used in the plural ('authorities') when referring to the police or government; the singular 'authority' usually refers to the abstract power itself.
The authority are investigating the crime.The authorities are investigating the crime.When referring to the people in power (like the police), the word must be plural and take a plural verb.