authorship
Americannoun
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origin, especially with reference to an author, creator, producer, etc., of a work.
establishing the authorship of early medieval manuscripts.
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the occupation or career of writing books, articles, etc.
noun
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the origin or originator of a written work, plan, etc
a book of unknown authorship
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the profession of writing books
Etymology
Origin of authorship
Explanation
If you write something, you are engaged in authorship. If you want a fancy way of asking "Who wrote that letter?" — try, "Who is responsible for the authorship of that letter?" Fancy, indeed! Authorship can refer to anything, not just the creation of written text; you can have authorship of a new idea, a new cocktail, a new fashion style — anything. And just as doctors practice medicine, or architects architecture, so writers practice authorship; in other words, authorship also means the actual act of authoring or writing.
Vocabulary lists containing authorship
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ship
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Additional Shakespeare Articles
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-ship
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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.
Tsai felt similarly appreciative of the authorship she had over Sunny, a character who in other series might have been flattened into someone to root against.
From Salon • May 11, 2026
"If questions arise regarding the aforementioned use of generative artificial intelligence, the Academy reserves the right to request more information about the nature of the use and human authorship."
From BBC • May 1, 2026
At the center of many of these controversies is a company called Pangram, whose CEO, Max Spero, has become the go-to authority when A.I. authorship disputes erupt.
From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026
In “Beginnings,” her contemporary works are in conversation with the Getty’s medieval illuminated manuscripts, creating a collision of past and present that broadens our understanding of origin and authorship.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
Joint authorship of the results, if any, of the collaboration was for some reason unacceptable.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
