authority
noun uk/ɔːˈθɒr.ə.ti/ us/əˈθɔːr.ə.t̬i/
(POWER)
B2 [ U ]威信；权力；管辖权
the moral or legal right or ability to control
The United Nations has used/exerted/exercised its authority to restore peace in the area. 联合国行使其权力以恢复该地区的和平。
We need to get the support of someone in authority (= an important or high-ranking person). 我们需要得到一个有实权的人的支持。
They've been acting illegally and without authority (= permission) from the council. 他们的行动都是非法的，且没有得到市政委员会的授权。
[ + to infinitive ] I'll give my lawyers authority (= permission) to act on my behalf. 我将授权我的律师代表我行事。
He has no authority over (= ability to control) his students. 他在学生面前没有威信。
She spoke with authority (= as if she was in control or had special knowledge). 她说话时一副权威的口吻。
C1 [ C ]当局；官方；当权者
a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity
the health authority 卫生当局
the local housing authority 当地住房管理机构
the authorities [ plural ] 官方;当局
the group of people with official legal power to make decisions or make people obey the laws in a particular area, such as the police or a local government department
I'm going to report these potholes to the authorities. 这条路路面坑坑洼洼，我要把这一情况报告给有关部门。
If you have a motor accident, notify the authorities and call your insurance company.
The authorities promised to investigate the source of the flooding.
We are cooperating fully with the authorities on this matter.
These shady business practices have not been challenged by the authorities here.
- More examples
- A good teacher has an easy authority over a class.
- Our new administrator seems to be trying to stamp her authority on every aspect of the department.
- The prime minister succeeded in surviving the challenge to his authority.
- He has no respect for authority whatsoever.
- Children challenge their parents' authority far more nowadays than they did in the past.
(EXPERT)
C2 [ C ]权威人士;专家;泰斗
an expert on a subject
She's a world authority on 19th-century Irish history. 她是19世纪爱尔兰历史方面的国际权威。
Idiom
have something on good authorityidiom 有可靠的根据
to be able to believe a piece of information because you trust the person who told you it
I have it on good authority that she's getting married. 根据可靠的信息，她就要结婚了。