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

• affection
• attribute
• character
• characteristic
• criterion
• diagnostic
• differentia
• feature
• fingerprint
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• note
• particularity
• peculiarity
• point
• property
• quality
• specific
• stamp
• touch
• trait

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

These and other attribution studies are taking on growing importance as California, Hawaii and other states sue oil companies, seeking billions of dollars in damages for effects linked to the burning of fossil fuels. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025

For example, Facebook skews towards an older crowd and has the best attribution tracking and pixel set up. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Collision determined to be accidental A 69-year-old driver struck three pedestrians while turning right in a Brooklyn intersection on New Year's Eve, according to an NYPD spokesperson who declined to provide a name for attribution. —Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025

And because hybrid warfare is by its nature designed to evade clear attribution of responsibility, officials have hesitated to launch powerful responses without having indisputable evidence of an adversary’s identity. —Lara Jakes, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see attribute entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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