[] the official power to give orders to people, make decisions, etc. 权力◆in a position of authority 当权◆Nothing will be done because no one in authority(= who has a position of power) takes the matter seriously. 因为当权者没有认真对待这个问题，所以甚麽事都办不了。◆Only the manager has the authority to sign cheques. 只有经理有权签发支票。
[] official permission to do sth 批准；授权；许可◆He was dismissed for signing documents without the authority of his manager. 他未经经理授权签署文件，所以被解雇了。
[] the power to influence people because they respect your knowledge or official position 威信；权威◆As the author of six books on marketing , she speaks with authority on the subject. 身为六本营销类书籍的作者，她对这课题发表权威意见。
[, ]the people or an organization who have the power to make decisions or who have a particular area of responsibility in a country or region 当局；官方◆The health authorities are investigating the problem. 卫生当局正在调查这一问题。
[] a person with special knowledge 专家；权威◆She's an authority on trade law. 她是贸易法专家。
classification authority Financial Services Authority line authority Securities and Futures Authority