1. The person who creates a written work. This is the most common definition. An author is the individual responsible for writing a book, article, poem, play, or any other form of written content. They are the originator of the ideas and the words used to express them.
2. The person who creates any type of work. This broader definition extends to any type of creative output, including music, art, film, software, and even inventions. For example, a musician is the author of their songs, a painter is the author of their artwork, and a programmer is the author of their code.
3. The person who has authority or control over something. In this sense, someone can be described as the "author" of a policy, a decision, or a situation. They are the person who has the power to shape or determine the outcome.
4. The source of something. This definition is less common but still valid. It refers to the origin of something, even if it's not a tangible work. For example, you might say "The author of the city's problems is the lack of affordable housing."
In all these cases, the underlying meaning of "author" is creativity, responsibility, and the ability to bring something into existence.