sheriff

play

noun sher·iff \�?sher-əf\

Definition of sheriff

: 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

play \-əf-dəm, -təm\ noun

See sheriff defined for English-language learners

See sheriff defined for kids

Recent Examples of sheriff from the Web

But on Wednesday night, Smith said Brunson's lawyer had set up a meeting between the teen and the sheriff's office.

— gerald porter jr., Daily Southtown, "Sheriff's office continues review of off-duty Lansing cop who detained teen, official says," 19 July 2017
A Hummer and a semi battling it out in a scary and dangerous case of road rage on a west Texas highway has angered the local sheriff and the video of the incident has gone viral.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Semi and Hummer play a scary game of cat and mouse in road rage incident," 19 July 2017
Her cause of death has not been disclosed and the sheriff did not disclose whether Gump had any apparent trauma or wounds.

— ruth brown and kris rodine, idahostatesman, "Mountain Home man wanted in connection with 25-year-old woman’s death," 19 July 2017
Lawmen set up a perimeter, and a sheriff's office K-9 tracked one the suspects to a vacant house on 26th Street in Ensley.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Birmingham man jailed after shots fired on I-59, chase with lawmen," 18 July 2017
A warrant was issued for Olivo's arrest, and he was taken into custody June 21 after Will County sheriff's officers stopped him for speeding in unincorporated Wilmington Township, according to court records.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "Naperville man robbed grandmother at knifepoint, police say," 11 July 2017
Miss Bel Air 2017 Natalie Brosh followed the sheriff.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Multiple generations enjoy Bel Air Fourth of July parade," 5 July 2017
Rajman was shot after several men broke into the house, according to a press release from the sheriff's office obtained by the Palm Beach Post.

— khadrice rollins, SI.com, "MMA fighter Aaron Rajman shot to death in Florida home," 5 July 2017
Spicer’s overture statement was a farrago of false assertions, misleading stats, and embattled attitude, putting those Beltway press-corps punks on notice that there was a new sheriff in town.

— james wolcott, The Hive, "There’s Nowhere Left for Sean Spicer to Hide," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sheriff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sheriff

Middle English shirreve, from Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve — more at shire, reeve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

SHERIFF Defined for English Language Learners

sheriff

play

noun

Definition of sheriff for English Language Learners

: an elected official who is in charge of enforcing the law in a county or town of the U.S.
: the highest official in a county or shire in England or Wales who represents the king or queen and who attends ceremonies and has legal duties
: the most important judge in a county or district in Scotland