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 Jackson County Legislature only has jurisdiction over policies related to the county sheriff’s office and does not have explicit authority over federal immigration agencies or area cities’ police departments. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2026

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison shared a legal opinion on 287(g) agreements in December, calling into question the agreements sheriffs have signed, saying only county commissioners can enter into the agreements. —Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

The sheriff’s office received a notification from a satellite device reporting an injured person, and Air Idaho was contacted and responded to the area. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2026

It was last seen traveling south on Northwest 22nd Avenue from 54th Street, the sheriff’s office said. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 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)