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

Pam Bondi, the nation’s former attorney general, is probably the most noted of Florida lawyers now defending a complaint before the Florida Bar Association. — Miles J. Zaremski, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

But California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other Democratic attorneys general have sued to block the sale in federal court, with a hearing on a preliminary injunction scheduled for Friday. — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 17 July 2026

Hanaway’s office filed a petition to remove Johnston from office, alleging misconduct, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Trump’s own attorney general in his first term, William Barr, said at the time that his department found no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could have changed the outcome of the election. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 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