attorney general

noun

, plural attorneys general, attorney generals.

1. the chief law officer of a country or state and head of its legal department. : att. gen.
2. Attorney General, the head of the U.S. Department of Justice: a member of the president's cabinet. : Atty. Gen.

Attorney General

¹

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom except Scotland) the senior law officer and chief legal counsel of the Crown: a member of the government and of the House of Commons
2. (in the US) the chief law officer and legal adviser to the Administration: head of the Department of Justice and member of the cabinet
3. (in Australia and New Zealand) the chief government law officer: a member of Parliament and usually a cabinet minister

attorney general

²

noun

1. a country's chief law officer and senior legal adviser to its government
2. (in the US) the chief law officer and legal adviser of a state government
3. (in some states of the US) a public prosecutor

Word History and Origins

Origin of attorney general¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

Matt Gaetz’s attorney general bid came together on board Trump’s plane while Wiles was in a “different, adjacent room on the plane, apparently unaware,” per Politico Playbook.

From Salon

The House Ethics Committee is scrapping a planned Friday meeting as pressure builds for the oversight panel to release a report on attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

From Salon

Apparently, he wasn't on anyone's shortlist but was on Trump's plane this week and they had a chat after which Trump concluded that he wanted the Florida congressman for Attorney General.

From Salon

Both men remain bitter and vengeful about that, which is undoubtedly the main reason Trump believes that Gaetz will be a perfect Attorney General.

From Salon

The nominee hails from one of the most famous families in Democratic politics as the son of US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy and nephew of President John F Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated in the 1960s.

From BBC