sheriff

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

sheriffdom

2 of 2

noun (2)

sher·​iff·​dom -fdəm 

plural -s

: shrievalty

Examples of sheriff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

He was sentenced to time served since he was held involuntarily for mental health treatment until he was deemed competent to face criminal charges, the sheriff’s office said. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Different views on the topic Bianco’s legal team argued that the sheriff had a duty to investigate a complaint alleging discrepancies in the election and had acted lawfully after obtaining search warrants from a neutral magistrate. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

As deputies were on the way, they were flagged down by a man who said he had been shot at, according to the sheriff’s office. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Each contracting city will have the option to see what makes more sense, contract with the sheriff or join the MSTU? — Marci Woodward, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English shirreve, from Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve — more at shire, reeve

Noun (2)

Middle English shirrevedom, sherrevedom, shirefdom, sherefdom, from shirreve, sherreve, shiref, sheref sheriff + -dom

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun

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

Noun

Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve (king's agent)