sheriff

noun

sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
: 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 noun

Examples of sheriff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sheriff's office posted to X at 5:42 p.m. announcing all northbound traffic was being diverted off the freeway at the Drexel Road exit. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 The sheriff’s office Traffic Unit responded to assist in the crash investigation. Jennifer Edwards Baker, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Officials have asked that anyone with information about Barber's death to please contact the sheriff's office by calling (501) 340-6963 or the crime stoppers tip line by calling (501) 340-8477. Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2024 According to the sheriff's office, Sloop made it to the bottom first, and watched as Burks came down, when an avalanche was triggered and overtook him. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Jarosz said the sheriff’s office is urging people to report any suspicious activity at VTA sites. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Both drivers and seven passengers in the van were killed, the sheriff’s office said. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024 One predatory sheriff’s deputy cost the county more than $10 million by himself. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies were called around 1:30 a.m. after multiple people reported gunfire in the 11000 block of Fair Oaks Boulevard at a party held in an Airbnb rental home, according to The Bee’s previous reporting. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sheriff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheriff was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sheriff

Cite this Entry

“Sheriff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheriff. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sheriff

noun
sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on sheriff

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