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 Her attorney has vowed to appeal, in part on the grounds the jury instructions in that case set a lower standard of proof than is required by law. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 An attorney for Blackstock did not immediately return a request for comment. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 An attorney for Entertainment One didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 The dispute over Wisconsin unemployment tax exemptions is the first of its kind, said Patrick Elliott, an attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Todd Richmond, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 The victim, a deputy county attorney who worked on elections, testified at Goltz’s sentencing in August that he, his wife and four children were assigned round-the-clock protection and issued body armor because of the threat, according to court records. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 That likely would have put attorney and social justice advocate Geneviéve Jones-Wright, a Democrat, on the fall ballot. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 An attorney for Lord's parents, Nick Lord and Autumn Curiel, confirmed Tuesday the victim's family was not afforded the same opportunity or consideration. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 What Jurado, a tenant rights attorney, did have was a supercharged canvassing operation. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024

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 19 Mar. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on attorney

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