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

Earlier, as Florida’s attorney general, Bondi declined to join a lawsuit regarding fraud at Trump University, claiming that she had received few complaints; an Associated Press investigation found that there had in fact been scores.

From Salon

Once the first female attorney general of Florida, she would play a key role in defending any legal challenges to Trump policies and implementing his vow to remake the department.

From BBC

After being nominated last week for attorney general, Gaetz resigned as representative for Florida's 1st congressional district, a seat he has held since 2017.

From BBC

Bondi has a long track record in law enforcement and previously served as Florida's attorney general.

From BBC

The swift sinking of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general showed Thursday that Republicans are still capable of finding fault with Trump’s choices, and even pushing back.

From Los Angeles Times