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 of attorney

• deputy
• representative
• delegate
• agent
• manager
• minister

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

She was taken to Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, and it is not immediately known if Natarajan has retained an attorney. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

Romanucci was one of the attorneys who represented the family of George Floyd after he was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis in 2020. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026

That limitation is the reason why a demand letter from attorneys was sent to the courts Friday, putting them on notice. —Ubah Ali, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

His defense attorney could not be reached for comment. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for attorney

• mcburney
• burnie
• gurney
• journey
• tourney

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