bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

1

a

: an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions

b

: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher

2

chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

bailiffship

ˈbā-ləf-ˌship 

noun

Examples of bailiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 35-year-old man who shot himself in the head and was shot by a bailiff inside a Baltimore district court has died. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2025

Set in the picturesque city of Cluj in Transylvania, Jude’s new film follows bailiff Orsolya (Eszter Tompa) who has to evict a homeless man who lives in the basement of a building. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025

There are only so many courtrooms available, and attorneys, clerks, bailiffs and other personnel already are stretched thin. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025

Grisham was also detained and put in handcuffs at the Jan. 14 session after arguing with bailiffs over his right to carry a firearm in the court. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

1

: any of various officials

especially : a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or doorkeeper

2

chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

Legal Definition

bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf 

: an officer of some courts in the U.S. whose duties usually include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors in deliberation

Etymology

Anglo-French, steward, king's official, from bail stewardship, custody, handing over see bail