authorship

noun

au·​thor·​ship ˈȯ-thər-ˌship 

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

Examples of authorship in a Sentence

His first attempt at authorship failed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Influential Women reverses that dynamic by placing women at the center of authorship and authority. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026

What makes this gray area tricky is that authorship and AI assistance are interwoven, and programs allow for degrees of artistic outsourcing. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026

If the data proves useful and can contribute to a scientific paper, citizen scientists receive acknowledgment and even authorship in some cases. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026

For some time after the list appeared, there was frenzied speculation about its authorship. —Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

author entry 1 + -ship

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing authorship

• co-authorship

Rhymes for authorship

• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip
• internship

Kids Definition

authorship

noun

au·​thor·​ship ˈȯ-thər-ˌship 

1

: writing as an occupation

2

: the origin especially of a written work