sheriff

noun

sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
: 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 noun

Examples of sheriff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Steve Novak at 954-321-4325 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477). David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024 Deputies showed up to the scene and talked the man into dropping the knife, according to the sheriff’s office. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024 On March 18, the sheriff's office contacted Sault Ste. Landon Mion, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024 Another three people had life-threatening injuries, and one patient had minor injuries, the sheriff's office said. USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024 Miller first encountered the teen and other people in late July during a traffic stop, the sheriff’s office said in a Nov. 6 news release announcing the officer’s arrest on state charges. Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2024 The sheriff's office must publicly post notice of sale in three places in the town or city where the property is located, and the notice must be published four times throughout that period. Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2024 Meister left for her hike around 10 a.m. Monday and was reported missing that night, the sheriff's office said. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 The sheriff's office posted to X at 5:42 p.m. announcing all northbound traffic was being diverted off the freeway at the Drexel Road exit. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sheriff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheriff was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sheriff

Cite this Entry

“Sheriff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheriff. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sheriff

noun
sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on sheriff

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