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

An anonymous tipster contacted the sheriff's office April 14 about possible mistreatment of Bane, who the tipster said was very underweight and had been left chained outside without food, water or shade, the release states. —Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2025

Investigators photographed Molly Corbett at the sheriff's office after Jason's murder. —Maureen Maher, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2025

Wilkins is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence for the murder of Clarissa Winchester, the sheriff’s office said. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Mutu was arrested on site and faces charges of battery and false imprisonment, the sheriff’s office said. —Diego Mendoza and Holly Yan, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 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)