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bailiff

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noun bai·liff \ ˈbā-ləf \

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
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bailiffship

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Recent Examples of bailiff from the Web

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

BAILIFF Defined for English Language Learners

bailiff

play
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

play
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

  1. 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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