attribution

noun

at·​tri·​bu·​tion ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce attribution (audio)
plural attributions
1
: the act of attributing something
especially : the ascribing of a work (as of literature or art) to a particular author or artist
2
: an ascribed quality, character, or right
Supernatural powers were attributions of the gods.
3
psychology : the interpretive process by which people make judgments about the causes of their own behavior and the behavior of others
Psychologists have long documented what they call the fundamental attribution error, the tendency for people to explain human behavior in terms of the traits of individual actors, even when powerful situational forces are at work.Erica Goode
attributional adjective

Examples of attribution in a Sentence

a genuine respect for one another is one of the most commonly cited attributions of a happily married couple
Recent Examples on the Web What makes the calculation process complicated is data points and attribution of monetary value in customer journeys. Jenya Edelberg, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Swayze plays a man killed in a mugging who returns as a spirit to Romans, the love of his life (Moore), and seeks attribution for his death. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 Such claims resurged with the widespread and false attribution of images from the Borough Park scene as activity at the Chabad headquarters. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2024 The complexities of pro forma machine-to-machine communication combined with the new multi-orbit dimensionality present unique space cyber challenges including: ultra-low financial barriers to entry, inherent difficulties in attack attribution, and aggression deterrence. Charles Beames, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Fact check: Article fabricates quotes from Alex Soros A spokesperson for George Soros' Open Society Foundations, who declined to provide a name for attribution, said the characterization of Alex Soros' post as a threat is false. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 This move further aids in delivering attribution to clients and bolsters client retention results. Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2024 This article has been updated to provide additional attribution around reporting on the July 29, 2022 meeting between developer Rishi Kapoor, Mayor Francis Suarez and City Manager Art Noriega. Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2024 Popular history writers Doris Kearns Goodwin, Stephen Ambrose, Joseph Ellis, and David McCollough were admonished over similar attribution incidents, promptly addressed their errors, and rebounded–without attacking the legitimacy of their critics. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attribution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see attribute entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of attribution was in 1598

Cite this Entry

“Attribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attribution. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

attribution

noun
at·​tri·​bu·​tion ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce attribution (audio)
: a rule in tax law that in certain cases deems property owned by one person or business entity to be owned by another or others

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