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

Stephen Cook, the group’s attorney, is based in the Irvine office of the multinational law firm Brown Rudnick. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026

The firm also maintains offices in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, and its 48 attorneys focus on real estate, construction, community association and insurance law. —Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Defense attorneys requested the change of venue to Tarrant County, arguing that Horner could not get a fair trial in Wise County. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026

His attorneys say Combs' conviction should be reversed, or he should at least be freed and resentenced to less time. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 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