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

Heavy rains in burn scar areas can pose serious threats of flash flooding, and the sheriff's office asked residents to take precautions around the scarred areas. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Among them were Broward County sheriff’s deputies who wanted photos and a trio of women who lamented they had been drawn into a new Republican-leaning district. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

The pair largely haven’t spoken in a decade, and Rushville’s sheriff has only summoned John after finding Hal’s body at the football stadium, where their intergalactic murder investigation began all those years ago. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

One of the prosecution’s star witnesses was a young vice squad sergeant named Sherman Block, later to become the four-term sheriff of Los Angeles County. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

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)