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

About 45 first responders — including Nevada County sheriff’s deputies, search and rescue teams and fire agencies from the surrounding area — were dispatched after a 911 call reported a snowmobiler missing in the backcountry near Truckee. —Daniel Hunt january 5, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026

The sheriff source says Nick will not be released from High Observation Housing (HOH) unless a judge or a court hearing determines otherwise and will continue to be monitored and housed alone. —Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

State law requires that a district attorney or county attorney approve a petition to remove a sheriff from office. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026

An unknown person was seen driving a white 2017 Dodge Shelby Charger with no hood and no doors, and an unknown man later set the car on fire, the sheriff’s office said. —Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 5 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)