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 tragedy remains under investigation by the local sheriff and state occupational safety authorities. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026

The assault was awful enough, but the fact that the sheriff’s office is not enforcing the law makes our whole community one of greater danger. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to have the sheriff come in and answer questions about his work history along with issues regarding his management of personnel, internal affairs, and other leadership issues in the department, public records show. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026

Andrade is facing the same two charges that federal prosecutors in San Diego brought against a sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot an unarmed, fleeing man in downtown San Diego in 2020. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 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)