attribution
noun
at·tri·bu·tion
ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-shən 
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
Erica GoodeExamples 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
Unlike high-profile hacks with clear attribution and corporate response, this breach is fragmented.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
So the attribution of anthropogenic climate change was proven beyond reasonable doubt, with 97% acceptance among scientists.
—Oliver Swainston, Space.com, 28 June 2025
Since that auction 161 years ago, the painting had remained in private hands in England until it was sold under a mistaken attribution last year.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
Like attribution, data aggregation has always been complex for businesses with smaller marketing budgets.
—John Readman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for attribution
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Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
So the attribution of anthropogenic climate change was proven beyond reasonable doubt, with 97% acceptance among scientists.
—Oliver Swainston, Space.com, 28 June 2025
Since that auction 161 years ago, the painting had remained in private hands in England until it was sold under a mistaken attribution last year.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
Like attribution, data aggregation has always been complex for businesses with smaller marketing budgets.
—John Readman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for attribution
Cite this Entry
“Attribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attribution. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
attribution
noun
at·tri·bu·tion
ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-shən
: 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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