1 attribution | Definition of attribution
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attribution

noun
at·​tri·​bu·​tion | \ ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce attribution (audio) \
plural attributions

Definition of attribution

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
Other Words from attribution Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about attribution

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Other Words from attribution

attributional \ -​sh(ə-​)nᵊl How to pronounce attributional (audio) \ adjective

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

 There's an ethical issue at play, too, when a computer can extract and automate an entire musical aesthetic without any kind of real attribution. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Behind Holly Herndon’s Radically Human AI Music," 10 Sep. 2019 Some news organizations, such as The Washington Post, have chosen to describe the tweets as racist without attribution. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Readers sound off on word ‘racist’," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attribution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of attribution

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for attribution

see attribute entry 1

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More Definitions for attribution

attribution

noun
at·​tri·​bu·​tion | \ ˌa-trə-ˈbyü-shən How to pronounce attribution (audio) \

Legal Definition of attribution

: 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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More from Merriam-Webster on attribution

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with attribution

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for attribution

Spanish Central: Translation of attribution

Nglish: Translation of attribution for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of attribution for Arabic Speakers

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