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

According to the sheriff's office, New York State Police troopers in Steuben County spotted a gray 2009 Honda Civic Thursday evening that matched the description of the car Venable was known to drive and tried to pull it over. —CBS News, 7 June 2024

The pursuit began when a deputy saw a driver committing a traffic violation near the intersection of Highway 58 and South Mullen Road in Belton, according to the sheriff’s office. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2024

The sheriff’s office said the California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident, adding that his cause and manner of death are also still under investigation. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024

The sheriff’s office said that the boy had driven his toy tractor in the river. —Maria Pasquini, Peoplemag, 6 June 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)