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

Under state law, the attorney general’s office is required to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed individuals, but can also investigate non-lethal use-of-force incidents. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

According to the attorney general’s office, Charrington and her sister petitioned a court for a conservator to be appointed to represent their father. —Melissa Russo, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026

The attorney general’s office and Salas filed a settlement agreement in the case on Wednesday. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026

The former state attorney general zipped up in polls conducted after Swalwell’s exit and was the top Democratic fundraiser on the national platform ActBlue this week. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Video

Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

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