sheriff

[ sher-if ]

noun

1. the law-enforcement officer of a county or other civil subdivision of a state.
2. (formerly) an important civil officer in an English shire.

sheriff

/ ˈʃɛrɪf /

noun

1. (in the US) the chief law-enforcement officer in a county: popularly elected, except in Rhode Island
2. (in England and Wales) the chief executive officer of the Crown in a county, having chiefly ceremonial duties shrieval
3. (in Scotland) a judge in any of the sheriff courts
4. (in Australia) an administrative officer of the Supreme Court, who enforces judgments and the execution of writs, empanels juries, etc
5. (in New Zealand) an officer of the High Court

Derived Forms

• ˈsheriffdom, noun

Other Words From

• sher·iff·dom [sher, -if-d, uh, m], noun
• sub·sheriff noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheriff¹

before 1050; Middle English sher ( r ) ef, Old English scīrgerēfa. See shire, reeve ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheriff¹

Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire ¹+ gerēfa reeve ¹

Example Sentences

Days after the general election that marked the midway point of his term as Los Angeles County sheriff, Robert Luna says he “absolutely” plans to run for office again in 2026.

From Los Angeles Times

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office was sent a bomb threat via email Friday night, prompting the sheriff’s office to evacuate more than 100 employees, but sweeps by bomb-sniffing dogs found nothing suspicious.

From Los Angeles Times

On Friday morning, a pair of sheriff’s deputies scrambled up a hillside in Camarillo Heights after residents noticed smoke billowing out of dense brush.

From Los Angeles Times

McDonnell said he had evolved in the 10 years since he was sheriff, but argued that his record was misunderstood.

From Los Angeles Times

Mark Lamb, the sheriff in Pinal County - a conservative area just south-east of Phoenix - said Trump winning the White House would deter migrants.

From BBC