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

The attorneys general are asking the court for a temporary restraining order to restore funding while the case proceeds. —Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Executive orders apply only to agencies and departments under the governor’s control, though other offices in the executive branch, including the attorney general’s, often opt to comply with them. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026

The assistant attorney general will be Senate-confirmed, and Vance said a nominee will likely be announced in the coming days. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

Vance said there are constitutional questions surrounding special counsel appointments, who aren't confirmed by the Senate as assistant attorneys general are. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 Jan. 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