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 requirements for meticulous attribution are spelled out in company policy, which all employees acknowledge and sign.
—Colleen McCain Nelson, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
The attribution process was not going to be straightforward.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
The new attribution analysis was done by 32 researchers, including leading wildfire scientists from the US and Europe as part of World Weather Attribution, which has studied the influence of climate change on more than 90 extreme events around the world.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
Additionally, China's disregard for potential ramifications, including detection, traceback, and attribution of this attack, could worsen existing mistrust between the two nations and lead to possible US counterattacks on Chinese infrastructure.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attribution
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Colleen McCain Nelson, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
The attribution process was not going to be straightforward.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
The new attribution analysis was done by 32 researchers, including leading wildfire scientists from the US and Europe as part of World Weather Attribution, which has studied the influence of climate change on more than 90 extreme events around the world.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
Additionally, China's disregard for potential ramifications, including detection, traceback, and attribution of this attack, could worsen existing mistrust between the two nations and lead to possible US counterattacks on Chinese infrastructure.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 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 28 Mar. 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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