Definition of ATTRIBUTIONS (original) (raw)
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
Synonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Global warming caused mainly by burning of fossil fuels made the hot, dry, and windy conditions that drove the recent deadly fires around Los Angeles about 35 times more likely to occur, an international team of scientists concluded in a rapid attribution analysis released Tuesday. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025 But the climate attribution team was only able to quantify issues that dealt with the fire weather index, which are the meteorological conditions that add up to fire danger. —Seth Borenstein, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 Demand gen only lacks the credibility of third-party attribution. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The attribution was further confirmed by Turner expert Ian Warrell, who contributed the catalog essay for the sale. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for attribution 
Word History
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of attribution was in 1598
Dictionary Entries Near attribution
Cite this Entry
“Attribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attribution. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 3 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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