attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf

especially : lawyer

attorneyship

ə-ˈtər-nē-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• agent
• assignee
• commissary
• delegate
• deputy
• envoy
• factor
• minister
• procurator
• proxy
• rep
• representative

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

Among the lawyers arguing this case was Alex Kaufman, an attorney in private practice who was representing the state Republican Party. —Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024

On an 11-0 vote, council members instructed the city attorney to draft an ordinance removing the remodel clause. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Outside, roughly 40 people, including an attorney who represented Moore, opponents of the death penalty and members of the clergy held a prayer vigil. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

The attorney assaulted his fiancée's daughter, who then stabbed him in the torso with a kitchen knife. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing attorney

• attorney-at-law
• attorney general
• court-appointed attorney
• district attorney
• power of attorney
• prosecuting attorney
• state's attorney

Kids Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

plural attorneys

: a person who is appointed to conduct business for another

especially : lawyer

Legal Definition

attorney

noun

at·​tor·​ney ə-ˈtər-nē 

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