attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf

especially : lawyer

attorneyship

ə-ˈtər-nē-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• agent
• assignee
• commissary
• delegate
• deputy
• envoy
• factor
• minister
• procurator
• proxy
• rep
• representative

Examples of attorney in a Sentence

talked to the count's attorney about buying land from his estate

finished law school and became an attorney

Recent Examples on the Web

The settlement announced Friday still requires approval by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in federal court in New York. Clark and Aziz’s attorney, O. Andrew F. Wilson, said forcing someone to remove religious clothing is akin to a strip search. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024

The state poured millions of dollars into legal aid organizations to deploy attorneys across courtrooms to keep families and individuals on the edge of eviction housed. —Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024

Part of the Blue Sky era on the USA Network, this fun legal drama tells the story of Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant college dropout with a photographic memory who’s hired as an associate by successful corporate attorney Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). —Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024

The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the exclusion of workers from the Smoke-Free Act was unconstitutional and attorney’s fees and costs. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

The attorneys will review their responses to lengthy questionnaires before interviewing many of them individually in court, with the goal of reaching consensus on who should be selected. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

The inmates, who argued that the event carried religious significance in Christianity, Islam, Santería and atheism, will be allowed to watch the eclipse outdoors in the prison yard with safety glasses provided by the corrections department, said Madeline Byrd, another attorney for the inmates. —Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

John Judge's harsh remarks come as an attorney for Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in their Moscow home in November 2022, pushes to get his trial moved to a different county, alleging that Latah County residents are biased toward her client. —Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 5 Apr. 2024

Trump attorneys Alina Habba and Christopher Kise characterized Monday's ruling as a key first step. —Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attourney, from Anglo-French aturné, past participle of aturner — see attorn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing attorney

• attorney-at-law
• attorney general
• court-appointed attorney
• district attorney
• state's attorney
• prosecuting attorney
• power of attorney

Kids Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: a person who is appointed to conduct business for another

especially : lawyer

Legal Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: a person authorized to act on another's behalf

especially : lawyer see also attorney-in-fact

Etymology

Anglo-French atorné legal representative, from past participle of atorner to designate, appoint, from Old French, to prepare, arrange see attorn