noun

attribution

at-rih-BYOO-shun/ˌætrɪˈbjuːʃn/

The identification of a source responsible for something.

The matching leaf stamps support the vase's attribution to this potter.

An art curator identifies the maker of a small clay vase by matching its distinctive leaf-shaped stamped mark to the same leaf stamp in a potter’s hand beside an unfinished matching vase.

Etymology

atLatinto

+tributLatinto assign, bestow

+ionLatinaction or process

Attribution carries the idea of assigning something to someone or something. Identifying a source or cause is an act of assigning an effect, work, or responsibility to its origin.

In context

U.S. Naval War College46:47

when you're talking about attribution there are three meanings that you need to keep in mind are you trying to identify the machine or the machines that are responsible

Disruptive Technologies in International Law: Day Two of Three

More examples

The photograph appeared with a clear attribution to its creator.
Her attribution of the failure to bad luck ignored several mistakes.
Scholars disagree about the attributions of these unsigned poems.

Forms

attribution · attributions

attribute verb — To identify something's source, creator, or cause.

Similar words

credit: Usually acknowledges a creator or someone responsible for success.
assignment: Can allocate responsibility without asserting a factual cause.