authorship

noun au·thor·ship \ ˈȯ-thər-ˌship \

Definition of authorship

1 :the profession of writing

2 :the source (such as the author) of a piece of writing, music, or art

3 :the state or act of writing, creating, or causing

See authorship defined for English-language learners

See authorship defined for kids

Examples of authorship in a Sentence

His first attempt at authorship failed.

Recent Examples of authorship from the Web

However, Taney's authorship of the Dred Scott decision, which ruled that Congress couldn't regulate slavery and that blacks weren't citizens, has caused him to be linked with the Confederate cause.

— baltimore sun, baltimoresun.com, "List of Baltimore Confederate monuments," 14 Aug. 2017
Some of those responding to the memo are trying to defend its authorship as an issue of free speech.

— susan wojcicki, Fortune, "Read YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki’s Response to the Controversial Google Anti-Diversity Memo," 9 Aug. 2017
His conviction in late 2009 stemmed from his co-authorship of a manifesto calling for human rights and political reform China.

— steven jiang, CNN, "Even in death, the Chinese government continues to fear Liu Xiaobo," 14 July 2017
The horrors of authorship — missed deadlines, self-loathing, isolation — provide especially good material for psychological thrillers.

— alex kuczynski, New York Times, "Friendship or Identity Theft? In This French Best Seller, It’s Hard to Tell.," 30 June 2017
This exhibition marks the first time the two paintings will be shown since the changes in authorship.

— dan kelly, kansascity.com, "KC events June 29-July 5: Blacklight Slide, Storytelling Conference, Joel McHale," 27 June 2017
His most recent conviction on Christmas Day 2009 stemmed from his co-authorship of Charter 08, a manifesto calling for political reform and human rights in China.

— steven jiang, CNN, "Nobel-winning Chinese dissident given medical parole after cancer diagnosis," 26 June 2017
The ruling came from the court without one justice's authorship.

— richard wolf, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court upholds same-sex parents' birth certificate rights," 26 June 2017
But Gov. Kathleen Blanco never followed through on the job offer after several Jefferson Parish legislators objected because of Maestri's authorship of the evacuation plan.

— mark schleifstein, NOLA.com, "Walter S. Maestri III, former Jefferson Parish emergency manager, dies at 73," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'authorship.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of authorship

1710

AUTHORSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

authorship

noun

Definition of authorship for English Language Learners

: the identity of the person who has written something
: the job or profession of writing

AUTHORSHIP Defined for Kids

authorship

noun au·thor·ship \ ˈȯ-thər-ˌship \

Definition of authorship for Students

:the profession of writing

Learn More about authorship

See words that rhyme with authorship Spanish Central: Translation of authorship Nglish: Translation of authorship for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of authorship for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up authorship? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

authorship

Definition of authorship

Examples of authorship in a Sentence

Recent Examples of authorship from the Web

First Known Use of authorship

AUTHORSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

authorship

Definition of authorship for English Language Learners

AUTHORSHIP Defined for Kids

authorship

Definition of authorship for Students

Learn More about authorship

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

malign

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

'Regimen' vs. 'Regiment'

'Spox' May Go On The Record

C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Forms of Government Quiz

Original Meanings Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Add Diction

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066

authorship

Definition of authorship

From the M-W Editors

Examples of authorship in a Sentence

Recent Examples of authorship from the Web

First Known Use of authorship

AUTHORSHIP Defined for English Language Learners

authorship

Definition of authorship for English Language Learners

AUTHORSHIP Defined for Kids

authorship

Definition of authorship for Students

Learn More about authorship

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066