1. a title of courtesy placed after a man’s surname, especially in formal correspondence
Usage: formal
2. a lawyer or attorney
Usage: American English; professional title
3. a young nobleman who served as an attendant to a knight
Usage: historical; medieval

Examples

• The letter was addressed to John Smith, Esquire.
• Please send the documents to Robert Johnson, Esq.
• The law firm’s letterhead listed all partners with ‘Esquire’ after their names.
• In medieval times, an esquire would carry the knight’s armor and weapons.
• The young esquire dreamed of becoming a knight himself.
• She addressed the envelope to ‘Thomas Brown, Esquire’ for the legal matter.