1 [U] the power and right to give orders and make others obey 权力；权威；权势: Children often begin to question their parents' authority at a very early age. 儿童往往小小年纪就开始质疑父母的权威。 You must get this signed by a person in authority (= who has a position of power). 你必须请有关方面的负责人签署这份文件。

2 [U] authority (to do sth) the right or permission to do sth 权利；许可: The police have the authority to question anyone they wish. 警方有权随意查问任何人。 He was sacked for using a company vehicle without authority. 他因未经允许就使用公司车辆而被解雇。

3 [C] (often plural 常用复数) a person, group or government department that has the power to give orders, make official decisions, etc 有权力的人、团体或政府部门；掌权者；当局: I have to report this to the authorities. 我得把这件事向当局报告。

4 [U] a quality that sb has which makes it possible to influence and control other people 威信；影响力: He spoke with authority and everybody listened. 他说话很有威信，人人都留心听。

5 [C] an authority (on sth) a person with special knowledge 有专门知识的人；权威: He's an authority on criminal law. 他是刑法的权威。