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

Chattah unsuccessfully ran for state attorney general in 2022 and was accused of using racially offensive language about her opponent, Democrat Aaron Ford, who is Black. —Jessica Hill The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026

Many of the scam messages appear to come from the Philadelphia Municipal Court, the attorney general's office said, but might also appear to come from other courts or government agencies. —Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Voters will also choose an attorney general, secretary of state, insurance commissioner, labor commissioner, state superintendent of schools and two seats on the public service commission. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

Together with his attorney general salary, Uthmeier receives $240,000 annually in state funds. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 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