Definition of attribute

1 : the real-world characteristics or properties of an entity, recorded as part of an entity type. 2 : properties of an entity; an entity is said to be described by its attributes. In a database, the attributes of an entity have their analogues in the fields of a record. In an object database, instance variables may be considered attributes of objects. 3 : element of information pertaining to an object. 4 : value associated with a type definition. [SEMATECH] Also see object attribute.