authorship

noun

au·​thor·​ship ˈȯ-thər-ˌship How to pronounce authorship (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My novel The Rayburn Affair lays bare notions of friendship, rivalry, envy, authorship, and power. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 The authorship, the self-revealing, the exhibitionism, being so proud. — Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 Abby Shadden, a 21-year-old Emmanuel College student, similarly pointed to Markey’s co-authorship of the Green New Deal and his early support for Medicare for All. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Leaders must prioritize building cognitive and identity infrastructure, focusing on *how* people think and their self-authorship, ensuring AI enhances human judgment rather than standardizing it. — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authorship

Word History

Etymology

author entry 1 + -ship

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of authorship was in 1710

Phrases Containing authorship

Rhymes for authorship

See All Rhymes for authorship

Browse Nearby Words

author number
authorship
autism
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Cite this Entry

“Authorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorship. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

authorship

noun
au·​thor·​ship ˈȯ-thər-ˌship How to pronounce authorship (audio)
1
: writing as an occupation
2
: the origin especially of a written work
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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