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 process servers and bailiffs carry around pitch decks for killer apps. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

The document notes that a bailiff has previously seized and auctioned property from the premises, but that has not met the debt. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

The unpaid debt is said to have accrued between January 1 and August 31, and constitutes the amount owed following the seizure and auction of property from the premises, carried out earlier by a bailiff. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Oct. 2026

Even after a bailiff woke him up, Martin slumped over in his wheelchair, inside a courtroom bullpen, occasionally jerking and opening his eyes. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

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