bailiff

American  

[bey-lif] / ˈbeɪ lɪf /

noun

1. an officer, similar to a sheriff or a sheriff's deputy, employed to execute writs and processes, make arrests, keep order in the court, etc.

2. (in Britain) a person charged with local administrative authority, or the chief magistrate in certain towns.

3. (especially in Britain) an overseer of a landed estate or farm.

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bailiff British  

/ ˈbeɪlɪf /

noun

1. the agent or steward of a landlord or landowner

2. a sheriff's officer who serves writs and summonses, makes arrests, and ensures that the sentences of the court are carried out

3. (formerly) a high official having judicial powers

4. an official having custody of prisoners appearing in court

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Other Word Forms

• bailiffship noun
• subbailiff noun
• underbailiff noun

Etymology

Origin of bailiff

1250–1300; Middle English baillif < Old French, equivalent to bail custody ( bail ¹ ) + -if -ive

Example Sentences

“The bailiff has indicated that the Sheriff’s Department will take it on a day by day basis, so hopefully he will be cleared tomorrow.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

Two more penalties followed and, along with bailiff fees, Andy was told he owed £2,500.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2024

Stines, elected sheriff in 2019, had previously served as a bailiff for Mullins in the southeastern Kentucky town of Whitesburg.

From Salon • Sep. 21, 2024

TMZ reported Tuesday that after Gibson was found in contempt of court, a bailiff put him in handcuffs and marched him out of the courtroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2024

The bailiff had pointed them out to him, noting that they never missed an appearance.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• constable