sheriff

noun

sher·​iff ˈsher-əf 

: an important official of a shire or county charged primarily with judicial duties (such as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)

sheriffdom

ˈsher-əf-dəm 

-təm

noun

Examples of sheriff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The site where a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy was fatally struck Friday by a vehicle. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025

At a court appearance on Saturday, Hamilton County sheriff's deputies packed the courtroom in support of the fallen deputy, according to ABC Cincinnati affiliate WCPO. —Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 3 May 2025

Ed Obayashi, a Modoc County sheriff’s deputy and special prosecutor who trains law enforcement on search and seizure policies, said the initial police responses to both cases merited further examination. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025

Investigators had pursued leads over the years but were unsuccessful in locating her whereabouts, the sheriff’s office said. —David Chiu, People.com, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English shirreve, from Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve — more at shire, reeve

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sheriff

• sherif
• tariff
• nontariff

Kids Definition

sheriff

noun

sher·​iff ˈsher-əf 

: an official of a county who is in charge of enforcing the law

Etymology

Middle English shirreve "sheriff," from Old English scīrgerēfa "sheriff," from scīr "shire, county" and gerēfa "a government agent"

Legal Definition

sheriff

noun

sher·​iff

: an official of a county or parish charged primarily with judicial duties (as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)

Etymology

Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve (king's agent)