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 has warned that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

The sheriff’s office and the Coast Guard responded about 3 p.m. Saturday to reports that 10 people were in the water next to a capsized boat near California’s D.L. Bliss State Park, at the southwestern end of the lake. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration also responded and will assist the sheriff's office as their probe into the incident continues. —June 23, CBS News, 23 June 2025

Wilson left the store but quickly returned, according to the sheriff’s office. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 June 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)