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

Golf legend Tiger Woods was charged with DUI after a vehicle crash in Jupiter, Florida, on Friday afternoon, the local sheriff said. —Melissa Gaffney, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

California's Democratic attorney general and a voting rights group launched legal challenges this week to halt a seizure and recount of more than half a million 2025 election ballots by a Republican county sheriff who is running for governor. —ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026

The agency transitioned from a police department to a sheriff’s office in January 2025, following a 2018 referendum requiring that the heads of all Florida county law enforcement agencies be elected. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Budensiek said the sheriff’s office will follow the law regardless of who has been accused of a crime. —Cody Jackson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 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)