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

Brea Hansen, now 37, was 17 years old when longtime attorney Timothy MacNeil was shot four times in his Rolando home. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

And why did the Commonwealth deny a request by Reddington, the defense attorney, to stipulate that Clancy killed her children, a formal acknowledgment of responsibility that would have focussed the trial proceedings on her criminal intent? — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

People hearing those stories—attorneys, reporters, healthcare workers or friends—may expect a clearer, linear narrative. — Michele Patterson Ford, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2026

The attorney pointed to Scharf’s past claims that the 2020 election was stolen as cause for concern. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 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