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
Meta’s advertising business, based on engagement and attribution, is a close second.
—Joe Marchese, Executive Chairman, Human Ventures, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Although the notion that Shakespeare collaborated with other writers in his early career is not controversial, the New Oxford’s attribution model is.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
According to the new attribution study from Imperial College London, climate change ramped up Melissa’s wind speeds by 7 percent, which increased damages by 12 percent.
—Kiley Price, Wired News, 1 Nov. 2025
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect appropriate attribution.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attribution
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Joe Marchese, Executive Chairman, Human Ventures, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Although the notion that Shakespeare collaborated with other writers in his early career is not controversial, the New Oxford’s attribution model is.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
According to the new attribution study from Imperial College London, climate change ramped up Melissa’s wind speeds by 7 percent, which increased damages by 12 percent.
—Kiley Price, Wired News, 1 Nov. 2025
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect appropriate attribution.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 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 9 Nov. 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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