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statutory authority

(Australian, New Zealand, UK, legal) A body set up by law which is authorised to enforce legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state.

ˈstæt͡ʃəˌtɔɹi əˈθɔɹətiCurrent287 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
3 definitions
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Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(Australian, New Zealand, UK, legal) A body set up by law which is authorised to enforce legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state.

For parents

Statutory authority means: A body set up by law which is authorised to enforce legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state.. It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

statutory authority means: A body set up by law which is authorised to enforce legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state.. Register: formal, legal English. Standard in its technical domain but rare in everyday talk; gloss with a plain synonym when writing for a general audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: body
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(US, legal) Legislation authorizing the existence and activity of a government agency.

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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

(US, legal) The powers assigned to a government agency by legislation.

Heard in the wild
  • “I mean the limits of will in the current environment prevent Trump from declaring the Democratic Party illegal and penalizing Democrats without any statutory authority whatsoever so that's not really a statement about the state of the law”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Statutory authority means: A body set up by law which is authorised to enforce legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state.. It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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UK

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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang

Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.

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