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

Another problem with the new rules, according to the Williamson County lawsuit, is that the case files that the attorney general's office could request might include confidential information about victims, mental health records and informants. —Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Before becoming vice president, Harris won statewide elections for the U.S. Senate and California attorney general. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025

Complaints can be filed with the attorney general at 651-296-3353. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 29 July 2025

The state attorney general found no evidence police caused his death, citing drug use, health issues, and exertion as contributing factors. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025

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