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

Weather appeared to be the main contributing factor, the sheriff's office said. —David Brennan, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025

Though police did not identify the victims or specify who was killed and who was injured, the youngest was 16 years old while the others ranged from age 17 to 21, the sheriff's office said. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025

According to the sheriff’s office, someone called for help around 8:42 a.m. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

The man told the deputy his girlfriend, who was at a nearby home, had stabbed him, according to the sheriff’s office. —Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 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)