attorney

noun

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

Synonyms of attorney

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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.
Meghan personally called animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, after hearing about 4,000 beagles being rescued from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia. — Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026 And the family’s attorney has said Wells’ parents don’t fully trust law enforcement. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 At the Glenn-Mills trial in Los Angeles, Meta attorneys repeatedly hammered witnesses about the lack of a listing — at times appearing to annoy jurors and test the patience of the court. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 Cassandra Barksdale and her attorneys filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Kaiser Permanente alleging the mix-up led to the surgery and months of physical and emotional pain. — Kim Chandler, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing attorney

Rhymes for attorney

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Browse Nearby Words

attorn
attorney
attorney-at-law
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Cite this Entry

“Attorney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorney. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of attorney for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about attorney

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