sheriff

noun

sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
: 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 noun

Examples of sheriff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sheriff's office said Tuesday that the company that provides natural gas service for the home made no significant findings after looking for gas leaks and carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal by depriving people from getting enough oxygen. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025 The sheriff’s office is expected to release body camera footage from the scene in the coming weeks. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025 The call came in around 8:45 a.m., and deputies were dispatched to the scene, sheriff’s Lt. Colin Hebeler said. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 The sheriff’s office later said the building where the incident reportedly happened was cleared and there were no signs of any victims or a shooter. Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheriff

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheriff was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheriff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheriff. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sheriff

noun
sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
: 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)

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