bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

1

a

: an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions

b

: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher

2

chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

bailiffship

ˈbā-ləf-ˌship 

noun

Examples of bailiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The visit to the grandmother goes bad when the shooter, who’s a teen like the fake bailiff was, runs to the roof and jumps to his death rather than surrender to the police. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025

The local sheriff said agents identified themselves with their badges and federal credentials to a bailiff. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025

The lodge first appears in the historical record as part of the 1592 will and inventory of William Simpson, the bailiff of nearby Castle Sowerby, an ancient parish in Cumbria, per Historic England. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025

Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium. —Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

1

: any of various officials

especially : a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or doorkeeper

2

chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

Legal Definition

bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

: an officer of some courts in the U.S. whose duties usually include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors in deliberation

Etymology

Anglo-French, steward, king's official, from bail stewardship, custody, handing over see bail