# attribution

/ˌætɹɪbˈjuʃən/ (US) · /ɐtɹɪbjˈuːʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/attribution
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. naming an author or creator

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the act of giving credit to the person who wrote, painted, or created something.

For teachers: the formal acknowledgement of authorship or ownership of a creative work.

- The article was published without attribution, so we don't know who wrote it.
- Proper attribution is a cornerstone of academic integrity, ensuring that original researchers receive credit for their intellectual contributions.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to'.

### 2. identifying a cause

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the process of deciding that something was caused by a specific person or thing.

For teachers: the act of ascribing a quality, character, or event to a specific cause or source.

- Scientists are working on the attribution of recent heatwaves to climate change.
- The attribution of the economic recovery to the new tax policy remains a subject of intense debate among leading analysts.

Usage: Common in scientific and statistical contexts regarding causality.

### 3. legal liability

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a rule where one person is held responsible for the actions of another person.

For teachers: a legal doctrine by which liability is extended to a defendant who did not personally commit the act.

- The company faced legal attribution for the mistakes made by its local partners.
- Under the principle of attribution, the state can be held responsible for the conduct of its officials even if they exceed their authority.

Usage: Typically used in international law or corporate liability contexts.

## Examples

- The article includes attribution to the original photographer.
- The report requires clear attribution for every statistic used in the analysis.
- Proper attribution is essential in journalism to maintain credibility and allow readers to verify the source of controversial claims.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.