attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē How to pronounce attorney (audio)
plural attorneys
: one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf
especially : lawyer
attorneyship noun

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
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.
Mike Roland in the investigations of the bombings of the Hattie Cotton Elementary School in 1957, the Jewish Community Center in 1958, and the home of civil rights attorney and council member Z. Alexander Looby in 1960. Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 The actress, who plays an attorney and de facto detective, allows an honest revelation. Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024 This fall, the Journal Sentinel examined legal filings associated with 56 independent medical professionals with ties to Wisconsin cases — and more than 3,500 cases nationally — then talked with patients, doctors, insurers and attorneys. Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024 Hudbay’s original plan was a stretch of a law that generally favors mineral production on public lands, said Heidi McIntosh, an attorney with the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice who argued and won on the tribes’ behalf. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attorney 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of attorney was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near attorney

Cite this Entry

“Attorney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorney. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

attorney

noun
at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē How to pronounce attorney (audio)
plural attorneys
: a person who is appointed to conduct business for another
especially : lawyer

Legal Definition

attorney

noun
at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē How to pronounce attorney (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on attorney

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