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

Nick Brown, Washington’s attorney general, leads a group of Democratic state officials and voting rights advocates who have been planning how to respond if, indeed, there is real federal interference. — Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026

The lawyers said Indiana purchased pentobarbital from a pharmacy that is under scrutiny by the state attorney general. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Also on the ballot are the attorney general, treasurer and state auditor. — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Statewide, voters will pick the governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 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