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 Fresno County sheriff’s office issued an evacuation warning for an area on the north shore of Pine Flat Lake, and a section of Trimmer Springs Road was closed. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

Following the investigation, more than 50 sheriffs in Missouri and Kansas updated their restraint policies, and the National Institute for Jail Operations recommended the content for national training, signaling a push for reform in how restraint systems are managed in correctional facilities. —Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026

According to the release, on April 16, 2026, sheriffs responded to a pedestrian hit by an e-motorcycle. —Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Los Angeles County sheriff’s online inmate records show he was being held at the LAPD’s Valley Jail in Van Nuys. —City News Service, Daily News, 23 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)