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 Brown, the defense attorney, said closure for community members and victims may have to come from re-imagining who is culpable. Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2024 Through an attorney, Vos on Thursday argued the committee broke state law by collecting 347 signatures outside of the time period allowed and therefore, the commissioners should not deem those names as valid. Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2024 What happened next was also surprising: After confessing to the abduction and murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks, they were spared capital punishment thanks to their famed attorney Clarence Darrow. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024 Civil rights attorney and democratic analyst Robert Patillo feels the rules behind the CNN debate are a weak spot for Trump. Amy Delaura, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for attorney 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attorney.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near attorney

Cite this Entry

“Attorney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorney. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

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

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