highest authority

[/ˈhaɪ.ɪst ɔːˈθɔr.ɪ.ti/]
noun phrasepl: highest authorities
autoridade máxima
1. the person or institution with the greatest power and right to make final decisions in a particular domain or organization
The Supreme Court is the highest authority in matters of constitutional law.
O Supremo Tribunal Federal é a autoridade máxima em questões de direito constitucional.
2. the ultimate source of power, jurisdiction, or command within a hierarchy
The President serves as the highest authority in the executive branch.
O Presidente funciona como a autoridade máxima no poder executivo.
3. an expert or official recognized as having supreme competence or legitimacy in a field
He is considered the highest authority on medieval history at the university.
Ele é considerado a autoridade máxima em história medieval na universidade.
In Brazil, this term is frequently used in legal, governmental, and institutional contexts. 'Autoridade máxima' appears often in discussions of the Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal) and presidential powers. In the USA, the phrase is commonly used when discussing the Supreme Court, the President, or organizational leadership hierarchies.
NYC Slang
the top dog; the big boss; the final say
Synonyms / Sinônimos
supreme authorityultimate authoritytop authorityhighest powerfinal authority
Antonyms / Antônimos
lowest authoritysubordinate authorityminor authority

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
autoridade máxima
most common and standard usage
General Brazilian
autoridade suprema
formal and legal contexts
Portugal
autoridade máxima
same usage as in Brazil
Portugal
autoridade superior
alternative formal usage

Related Words

jurisdictionsovereigntysupremacyhierarchycommandgovernancepower

Related Idioms & Phrases

appeal to the highest authority
answer to the highest authority
by the highest authority
on the highest authority
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →