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

Video posted to Facebook by the sheriff's office in Alabama shows police assisting an SUV driver on a road in Dale County during the storm. — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives on Thursday arrested three men on suspicion of homicide and criminal conspiracy in the death of a man whose body was found last month inside a North Highlands home. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Four of the man’s family members, ranging in age from 4 to 72, were treated but are expected to survive, the sheriff said. — Emilie Megnien, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

The sheriff's department urged the public to contact West Hollywood Station Detectives with further information. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 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)