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 is leading the investigation into the incident, Yee said. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 26 June 2026

Meanwhile, Johnson said the sheriff's office has found a Brahman bull in the area of Reagan Wells and is looking for an owner to return it to. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 June 2026

The state penal code also allows sheriff’s officials to offer inmates to stay in custody for up to 16 additional hours or until normal business hours, whichever is shorter, so the inmate is released during daytime hours. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

An Osceola County sheriff’s deputy allegedly kicked and shoved his girlfriend to the floor Thursday after taking her cell phones during an argument, forcing her to drive to a nearby gas station to call 911. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026

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)