Definition

Noun: 1. A line of text naming the author of a written work: A "by-line" is a line in a newspaper, magazine, or online article that states the name of the person who wrote it. 2. An auxiliary activity or secondary occupation: A less common meaning, referring to a job or activity done in addition to one's main work.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Author Credit):
  • Her by-line appeared on the front page of the newspaper.
  • The journalist was proud to finally get his own by-line.
  • Look for the article with my by-line.

Advanced Usage

• "To get/have a by-line": To receive or possess credit as the named author of a piece of writing.
  • Freelance writers work hard to get a by-line in major publications.
• "Under someone's by-line": Used to indicate that a piece of writing is officially credited to a specific person.
  • The report was published under the by-line of the paper's senior editor.

Variants and Related Words

• Byline: An alternative, and now more common, spelling of "by-line" (often written as one word: ).
• Credit line: A broader term that can include the by-line as well as information about photographers, illustrators, or sources.
• Tagline: A very different concept; a catchy phrase associated with a product or brand, not the author's name.

Synonyms

• Author credit: The acknowledgment of someone as the creator of a written work.
• Signature line: (In specific contexts) A line identifying the writer.

Different Meanings

1. Primary Meaning (Journalism): The attribution of authorship in a published article.
2. Secondary Meaning (Activity): A subsidiary line of work. (Note: This meaning is now very rare and often considered archaic. The primary and almost exclusive modern use is for author attribution.)

Noun

1. an auxiliary activity
2. a line giving the name of the writer of a story or article