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

The sheriff's office said that Florida residents who are experiencing abuse or know someone who is experiencing abuse can contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

The grandmother was being held on a $160,000 bond, while her daughter was held on a $105,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025

Two days later, police in Iowa reached out to deputies in Tennessee to say a missing 13-year-old may be in Jefferson County, according to the sheriff’s office. —Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025

The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. —David Chiu, People.com, 29 May 2025

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)