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

And Trump is reportedly pressuring senators to confirm Matt Gaetz as attorney general, despite newly public accusations against the Republican former lawmaker.

From New York Times

The defeat of Harris, a preeminent California Democrat who served as the state’s attorney general and U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

After Trump tapped former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Kirk posted a video to X from the passenger seat of a vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times

Former Rep. Gaetz, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, has promised to purge the Justice Department and FBI of anyone who might get in the president’s way.

From Los Angeles Times

She acknowledged an ongoing criminal investigation by the state attorney general into Spolin’s practices, but denied that he had committed any crimes.

From Los Angeles Times