# authorship

/ˈɔθɝˌʃɪp/ (US) · /ˈɔːθəʃˌɪp/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/authorship
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the state of being the person who wrote a book, article, or document. It can also mean the origin or source of an idea or piece of work.

For teachers: the fact or position of being the creator of a written work or idea. Often used in legal or academic contexts to discuss the attribution of intellectual property.

## Examples

- The professor questioned the authorship of the student's essay.
- New evidence has emerged that challenges the traditional authorship of several plays previously attributed to Shakespeare.
- Determining the true authorship of the anonymous pamphlet required a detailed stylistic analysis of the vocabulary and sentence structures used throughout the text.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the phrase 'disputed authorship' or 'joint authorship'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.