attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf

especially : lawyer

attorneyship

ə-ˈtər-nē-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• agent
• assignee
• commissary
• delegate
• deputy
• envoy
• factor
• minister
• procurator
• proxy
• rep
• representative

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

Teran is represented by James Spertus, Grossman’s new attorney. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024

Camille married attorney David C. Meyer in October 2018 in a Hawaiian ceremony, and their nuptials were shown on RHOBH. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024

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

Phrases Containing attorney

• attorney-at-law
• attorney general
• court-appointed attorney
• district attorney
• power of attorney
• prosecuting attorney
• state's attorney

Kids Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: a person who is appointed to conduct business for another

especially : lawyer

Legal Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

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