attorney general

noun

plural attorneys general or attorney generals
: the chief law officer of a nation or state who represents the government in litigation and serves as its principal legal adviser

Examples of attorney general in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
State of play: Besides the presidential race, Washington voters are casting ballots on four statewide ballot measures, on congressional races, and to choose a new governor and attorney general. Melissa Santos, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 She was elected San Francisco attorney general in 2004 and became the first Black person, first woman and first Asian American to serve as California attorney general in 2011. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Indiana was notably absent from a statement on behalf of participating attorneys general from 51 states, territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia that called for a peaceful Election Day across the nation. Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024 Same with state governments — including legislatures that pursue new laws, state supreme courts that determine the laws’ constitutionality, attorneys general who decide whether to defend them and district attorneys who enforce them. Geoff Mulvihill, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attorney general 

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attorney general was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near attorney general

Cite this Entry

“Attorney general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorney%20general. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

attorney general

noun
plural attorneys general or attorney generals
: the chief law officer of a nation or state who represents the government in legal matters

Legal Definition

attorney general

noun
plural attorneys general or attorney generals
: the chief law officer of a nation or state who represents the government in litigation and serves as its principal legal advisor

More from Merriam-Webster on attorney general

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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