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

Amit Agarwal, Slaughter's attorney, argued that the FTC's removal protections were consistent with the separation of powers, saying that Congress has long created independent agencies guided by multimember commissions. —Justin Jouvenal The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 9 Dec. 2025

But attorneys Marc Dann and Jeff Crossman argued that the state is seizing Ohioans' money without just compensation or due process. —Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Dec. 2025

The girl fled to find help after Mitchell struck her, the county attorney's office said. —Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025

DeSena's attorney could not be reached for comment. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

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