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

Given both the state of CBS News and the Ellisons' ties to Trump, the attorneys general expressed concern about how that could affect the integrity of CNN's news coverage. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

The two sides have agreed to resolve antitrust claims that Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general brought in late July. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Then California attorney general Rob Bonta and his posse of 12 states filed a lawsuit in July that seemingly had Paramount on the ropes. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

The discussions also focused on editorial oversight of CBS News and CNN, a key concern for East Coast attorneys general. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Sep. 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