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

Her father, Michael Riebe, who has worked in law enforcement, said Heather once volunteered to care for two young boys of a sheriff department detective who had lost her husband. —Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Last year, in an effort to bring at least some unofficial results to the county faster, Forlini and the county sheriff offered a program where a deputy and a county clerk employee went to municipalities to pick up the sticks and drive them back to the county elections department in Mount Clemens. —Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Surveillance footage from the rental car business in Lompoc on October 7 showed Buzzard and Melodee in what appeared to be wigs, the sheriff’s office said in a release that shared a clip of the video. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

After a marathon of presentations and interviews Thursday, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors narrowed a field of 12 applicants to three finalists for sheriff — a position the board now has the rare opportunity to fill. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 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)