judge advocate

noun

1
: an officer assigned to the judge advocate general's corps or department
2
: a staff officer serving as legal adviser to a military commander

Examples of judge advocate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All military personnel have access to judge advocates, although more junior service members will typically use JAGs for personal legal matters, rather than limits on authority. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Marie’s old boss, Admiral Pasalk (Graeme Somerville), a judge advocate general, will also be on Purmantee III. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025 The attorneys, called judge advocates, have a range of duties much like civilian lawyers, from carrying out prosecutions, acting as a defense attorney or offering legal advice. Konstantin Toropin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 But nearly a month into the detention camp’s operation, the governor said a key part of that plan — the use of National Guard judge advocate general corps attorneys to oversee immigration cases — has yet to launch. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for judge advocate

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of judge advocate was in 1644

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Cite this Entry

“Judge advocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judge%20advocate. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

judge advocate

noun
plural judge advocates
1
: an officer serving under the Judge Advocate General
2
: an officer charged with administering military justice (as by acting as legal counsel or conducting an appellate review)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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