attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē How to pronounce attorney (audio)
plural attorneys
: one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf
especially : lawyer
attorneyship noun

Examples of attorney in a Sentence

talked to the count's attorney about buying land from his estate finished law school and became an attorney
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During questioning by Read's defense attorney, Faller said that the type of alcohol test done in a medical setting for the purpose of diagnosing health issues is different than the type of test used in forensics and relied upon in a court of law. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 Also Friday, the statement was read by a government attorney in a separate case in Washington, said lawyer Brian Green, who represents the plaintiff in that case. Kate Brumback, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025 Once again, the world sees that the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, formally known as the Southern District of New York, employs the best lawyers in the country. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025 During an April 17 hearing, attorneys for the plaintiffs had said requiring proof of citizenship on the federal voter registration form would complicate their clients' voter registration drives at grocery stores and other public places. Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attorney

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attourney, from Anglo-French aturné, past participle of aturner — see attorn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attorney was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attorney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorney. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

attorney

noun
at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē How to pronounce attorney (audio)
plural attorneys
: a person who is appointed to conduct business for another
especially : lawyer

Legal Definition

attorney

noun
at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē How to pronounce attorney (audio)
plural attorneys
: a person authorized to act on another's behalf
especially : lawyer see also attorney-in-fact
Etymology

Anglo-French atorné legal representative, from past participle of atorner to designate, appoint, from Old French, to prepare, arrange see attorn

More from Merriam-Webster on attorney

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