bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

1

a

: an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions

b

: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher

2

chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

bailiffship

ˈbā-ləf-ˌship 

noun

Examples of bailiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Working in the courthouse is also a prideful experience for those who have been there many years, like bailiff Suzie Piazza of Valparaiso, who was hired by the late Judge Mary Harper and is in her 28th year working in the building. —Deena Butterfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

In her time on the team, LaMarche has been in the roles of paralegal, bailiff, detective, trial attorney and now a prosecution team captain. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025

An absurdist comedy-drama about Romania’s housing crisis and the country’s conflicted middle class, Kontinental ’25 follows a homeless man who seeks shelter in a house cellar and the well-meaning bailiff (Eszter Tompa) ordered to carry out his eviction. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025

When Orsolya knocks on the man’s door with an army of trigger-happy policemen at her back, the bailiff — in her infinite mercy — agrees to give the guy some time to collect his belongings. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

1

: any of various officials

especially : a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or doorkeeper

2

chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

Legal Definition

bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

: an officer of some courts in the U.S. whose duties usually include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors in deliberation

Etymology

Anglo-French, steward, king's official, from bail stewardship, custody, handing over see bail