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

In July, Kiley called for an investigation into the charitable funds, urging the attorney general to open an investigation into the matter.

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson for Mayes said that the attorney general is reviewing the matter.

From Salon

That said, there is a huge difference between a press staffer getting his jollies on social media and the assistant attorney general of the United States playing politics with personal calamity.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the attorney general's first appearance at a congressional oversight hearing - and it was a timely one.

From BBC

On social media, Miller seems to be attacking the justice system, and attorneys general such as Bonta.

From Los Angeles Times