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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
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
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Word History
First Known Use
1585, in the meaning defined above
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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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about attorney general
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