attorney general

/əˌtʌrni ˌdʒɛnərəl/

/əˈtʌni ˈdʒɛnɛrəl/

Other forms: attorneys general; attorney generals

The highest legal authority in a state or country is its attorney general. The U.S. attorney general is the official head of the Department of Justice.

The job of an attorney general is to advise a government on legal matters, and in some countries to oversee all judicial affairs. In the U.S., the attorney general is an appointed member of the president's cabinet who prosecutes cases that involve the federal government. This term, which dates from the 16th century, was translated from French, which is why it's attorney general rather than general attorney — and also explains its plural form, attorneys general.

Definitions of attorney general

1. noun

   the chief law officer of a country or state
   type of:

   law officer, lawman, peace officer

   an officer of the law