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

And so rivals again assailed Becerra’s performance as state attorney general and Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026

Bonta argues Bianco violated state law and the attorney general’s authority by removing ballots from official custody without identifying a specific crime or suspect. —James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026

The Florida attorney general has issued a subpoena to the NFL over the Rooney Rule. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026

The case will be prosecuted by the attorney general's office. —Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 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