lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio) ˈlȯi-ər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
Synonyms of lawyernext
: one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters
lawyerlike
ˈlȯ-yər-ˌlīk How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
ˈlȯi-ər-
adjective
lawyerly
ˈlȯ-yər-lē How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
ˈlȯi-ər-
adjective

Synonyms of lawyer

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Examples of lawyer in a Sentence

their lawyers told them that they couldn't use the park for the concert without permission from the city
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Justice Department lawyers have argued that the building needs extensive repairs, citing water damage and rusting steel, according to The Hill. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 More than a week later, Kadgien’s lawyer turned it over to authorities. — Sergio Farella, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The vice president, who has denied the allegations, showed a court order lifting the arrest warrant issued by the court Friday and said her lawyers instructed her to keep a copy on hand. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 That fait accompli, all ninety thousand square feet of it, is, of course, what Trump has been counting on as his lawyers have fended off court challenges and a two-hundred-and-fifty-person construction crew has raced toward completion. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawyer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lawyer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing lawyer

Rhymes for lawyer

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Browse Nearby Words

law-worthy
lawyer
lawyer bush
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Cite this Entry

“Lawyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawyer. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lawyer

noun
law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio) ˈlȯi-ər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
: a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations

Legal Definition

lawyer

noun
law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
: one whose profession is to advise clients as to legal rights and obligations and to represent clients in legal proceedings

More from Merriam-Webster on lawyer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lawyer

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