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

attributional

ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of attribution

• attribute
• characteristic
• feature
• quality
• trait
• criterion

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

Detection and attribution, of course, will not stop the spread of disease on their own. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Our sector has built its entire attribution system around the moment of creation, so donors will, of course, want to optimize for it. — Sarah Evans, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Christie’s sold the double-sided painting to the Sicilian regional government in 2003, during the Wilhelm Soldan collection auction, shortly after its attribution to Antonello. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Who may be behind the Minnesota water cyberattack Officials have not announced a definitive attribution. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see attribute entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for attribution

• absolution
• allocution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution
• elocution

Legal 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