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
The NewFronts pitch focused on Outcomes+, a new offering for advertisers that aims to improve targeting and attribution, bridging the gap between linear TV and streaming.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
One is detection and attribution of climate change—so what does climate change look like?
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026
Over the years, Ferreira has been given attribution as the author of the photograph when it has been publicly displayed.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2026
The parents and officials who agreed to be interviewed did so without attribution to protect their children and because they were not authorized to speak about the issue.
—Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attribution
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Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
One is detection and attribution of climate change—so what does climate change look like?
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026
Over the years, Ferreira has been given attribution as the author of the photograph when it has been publicly displayed.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2026
The parents and officials who agreed to be interviewed did so without attribution to protect their children and because they were not authorized to speak about the issue.
—Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attribution
Cite this Entry
“Attribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attribution. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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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