attribution

American  

[a-truh-byoo-shuhn] / ˌæ trəˈbju ʃən /

noun

1. the act of attributing; ascription.

2. something ascribed; an attribute.

3. Numismatics. a classification for a coin, based on its distinguishing features, as date, design, or metal.

4. Archaic. authority or function assigned, as to a ruler, legislative assembly, delegate, or the like.

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Other Word Forms

• misattribution
  noun
• reattribution
  noun

Etymology

Origin of attribution

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin attribūtiōn-, stem of attribūtiō “assignment, an allotting”; see attribute, -ion

Explanation

"A wise man once said..." Ever wonder who said that famous quotation? Then you're curious about its attribution. An attribution identifies a source or cause of something — in this case, the person who first said the quote. Attribution often involves identifying the author or source of written material or a work of art. If you want to prove that painting you found in your basement is a van Gogh, you'd produce evidence to ensure proper attribution. The word can be used more generally to indicate the source of anything, whether it's a bombing, climate change, or success. For example, attribution of your success might be hard work and the support of family and friends.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

attribution

She pointed to the lack of attribution and other "red flags on methods and research integrity."

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

“We are not seeking publicity or attribution for the individuals involved and are declining interviews.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

The appearance of consciousness in large language models is not achieved in a way that is sufficiently similar to us to warrant attribution of conscious states.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026

“This attribution challenge has paralyzed the international community’s response,” Jason Hsu, a former Taiwan legislator now at the Hudson Institute, recently told a U.S. legislative commission in written testimony.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

They often approached visitors as if they might be deities, possibly calculating, in the spirit of Pascal's wager, that the downside of an erroneous attribution of celestial power was minimal.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann