bailiff

noun bai·liff \ ˈbā-ləf \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of bailiff

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

play \-ˌship\ noun

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Recent Examples of bailiff from the Web

But the commission said judicial rules required Novak to disclose the conversation with the bailiff to the opposing parties.

— bob egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Mateo County judge reprimanded," 30 May 2018
After the bailiff removed their handcuffs, Kirby told the two 17-year-olds and their parents that regardless of the teens' motive or their intentions, Warren County takes every threat seriously.

— mike schell, Cincinnati.com, "Judge turns to polygraph testing for students accused of school threats," 7 Mar. 2018
After the hearing, the same bailiff, shook his hand and said good luck.

— cary spivak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fox Point lawyer who stole from estate avoids jail, keeps law license," 24 Apr. 2018
On the other end, the phone gets handed off to someone posing as a bailiff, prosecutor or public defender, who now wants payment in gift cards, either for bail or for hospital bills for a fake victim -- or both.

— brian lisik/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Driver runs stop sign, is broadsided by another driver: Hinckley Police Blotter," 2 Apr. 2018
At that, Margraves ran across the court room toward Nassar, prompting bailiffs to tackle him to the floor.

— katie reilly, Time, "Father of Three Abuse Victims Tries to Attack Larry Nassar in Court," 2 Feb. 2018
At her request, a bailiff walked over to the defendant's table and showed Denk a picture of Amy Weidner.

— kristine guerra, Indianapolis Star, "From the archives: Amy Weidner's 1989 cold-case murder solved by IMPD officer Bill Carter via Facebook," 17 Apr. 2014
Morse began tearing up as Wall read from his adult children's letters, and a bailiff handed him tissues.

— cary spivak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fox Point lawyer who stole from estate avoids jail, keeps law license," 24 Apr. 2018
Norman was an administrative bailiff in Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas for Judge Pat DeWine and served as his chief of staff when DeWine was a Hamilton County Commissioner.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Who's on the list: Colerain moves on to interview phase of administrator search," 8 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bailiff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bailiff

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 ³bail

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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BAILIFF Defined for English Language Learners

bailiff

noun

Definition of bailiff for English Language Learners

: an officer in a court of law who helps the judge control the people in the courtroom
: someone hired by a sheriff to bring legal documents to people and to take away possessions when people cannot pay for them
: someone who manages the land and property of another person

Law Dictionary

bailiff

noun bai·liff \ ˈbā-ləf \

legal Definition of bailiff

: 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

Origin and Etymology of bailiff

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

Learn More about bailiff

See words that rhyme with bailiff Spanish Central: Translation of bailiff Nglish: Translation of bailiff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bailiff for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bailiff

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bailiff

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bailiffship

Recent Examples of bailiff from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bailiff

BAILIFF Defined for English Language Learners

bailiff

Definition of bailiff for English Language Learners

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bailiff

legal Definition of bailiff

Origin and Etymology of bailiff

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