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

At the time, Riverside County sheriff investigators had little information about the shooting, let alone any information about the identity of the potential shooters. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

Norman said sheriff’s office personnel responded to the Ellis County jail at about 3:45 p.m. on Monday to reports of a detention officer being attacked by an inmate. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

An Oakland County sheriff's deputy, who was the first officer at the scene, was one of seven prosecution witnesses who testified. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024

Ramsey County sheriff’s deputies joined in the pursuit near Ramsey County Road C and Rice Street. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 16 Dec. 2024

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

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)