attorney general

noun, plural attorneys general, attorney generals.
1.
the chief law officer of a country or state and head of its legal department.
2.
(initial capital letters) the head of the U.S. Department of Justice: a member of the president's cabinet.
Origin
1575-85
Examples from the web for attorney general
  • The position of attorney general has historically been a stepping-stone to the governorship.
  • The legislature voted for it almost unanimously, but the governor and the attorney general are against it.
  • Both give the power to seek injunctions not only to the attorney general but also to private copyright holders.
  • The attorney general shall be elected quadrennially, and shall hold his office for a term of four years.
British Dictionary definitions for attorney general

attorney general

noun (pl) attorneys general, attorney generals
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

Attorney General

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