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authorship

American  
[aw-ther-ship] / ˈɔ θərˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. origin, especially with reference to an author, creator, producer, etc., of a work.

    establishing the authorship of early medieval manuscripts.

  2. the occupation or career of writing books, articles, etc.


authorship British  
/ ˈɔːθəˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. the origin or originator of a written work, plan, etc

    a book of unknown authorship

  2. the profession of writing books

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of authorship

First recorded in 1700–10; author + -ship

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

UK company Books by People agrees there needs to be a trusted standard for how human authorship should be disclosed.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

But the use of AI in cinema has prompted thorny legal questions over intellectual property and the very notion of authorship, at a time when legislation is only just beginning to grapple with the subject.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

We’ll also see the emergence of more labels like the “Organic Literature” certification, which intends to verify and vouch for human authorship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

She argues that the abstract symbols marked workshop identity rather than individual authorship.

From Science Daily • Dec. 16, 2025

There is no signature, but there is no mistaking the authorship:

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt