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.
The merger remains on hold, possibly until June, while a federal judge considers a lawsuit from a coalition of state attorneys general challenging the deal over antitrust grounds. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026 Instead, legislators passed a law giving the state’s attorney general 10 days to produce better language. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Much of the work is legal preparation among Democratic state attorneys general and lawyers with leading civic organizations. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Talarico faces Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the state’s longtime attorney general. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

attorney-at-law
attorney general
attornment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attorney general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorney%20general. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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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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