Plagiarism is defined as:

Plagiarism is primarily defined as taking someone else's work or ideas and presenting them as one's own without appropriate attribution. This encompasses not only copying text verbatim but also includes the act of turning in another person's complete work, such as written assignments, projects, or art, as if it were originally created by the individual submitting it. This is a serious ethical violation in academic and professional settings.

Choosing to present someone else's ideas or expressions—be it through direct copying or by closely mimicking the original work—without giving proper credit undermines the integrity and originality that academic work is supposed to reflect. It is critical for students and professionals to understand and respect intellectual property rights, which is why acknowledging and attributing work to original authors is necessary in any academic or professional discourse.

While other options touch on related concepts—such as collaboration or paraphrasing—these do not align with the strict definition of plagiarism. Specifically, crediting contributions or citing paraphrased ideas appropriately would not constitute plagiarism, as they demonstrate respect for the intellectual property of others.