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 indictment claims that the sheriff and two of his employees operated Disinfect Pro Master, which received a $500,000 contract to disinfect the buildings of a local school district. —Arkansas Online, 24 Jan. 2026

The sheriff's department said all officers and deputies were accounted for. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026

Hollister police officers and San Benito County sheriff’s deputies were notified when the vehicle entered their jurisdiction and attempted to stop the vehicle. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026

Birdlong later called the sheriff’s office, demanding to know why her vehicle had been towed. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 23 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)