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

Much of the content generated promoted an organization called the International Burke Institute (IBI), the website of which features articles copied from real academic writing, sometimes with false attribution. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

No responsible analysis should claim that a single flood or drought was caused by climate change without attribution science. — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

In two cases, the publishers added specific attributions, as had been required of Miller’s book. — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

About a quarter of the sales was rated with an attribution score that ranged from 80 to 100, which showed that shoppers used Ustyle outfits before a sale. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 20 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