bailiwick

[ bey-luh-wik ]

noun

1. the district within which a bailie or bailiff has jurisdiction.
2. a person's area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work:

   to confine suggestions to one's own bailiwick.

   Synonyms: turf, territory, sphere, department, domain

bailiwick

/ ˈbeɪlɪwɪk /

noun

1. law the area over which a bailiff has jurisdiction
2. a person's special field of interest, authority, or skill

Other Words From

• sub·baili·wick noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bailiwick¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, equivalent to baili- bailie + wick wick ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of bailiwick¹

C15: from baili(e) + wick ²

Example Sentences

Its abilities were astonishing — and squarely in the bailiwick of people who generate content, such as advertising copy and blog posts, for a living.

From New York Times

“The 12th Amendment places the counting of electoral votes in the Congress’ bailiwick.

From Washington Post

She said she may have ruled differently than the state justices, but “that call is not within our bailiwick.”

From Washington Times

The worst Butz suffered for his irresponsible faux scholarship in a field out of his bailiwick was the ignominy of being a Holocaust denier.

From Washington Post

But coaxing buy-in from the players in a situation that could easily bring out negativity is Carroll’s bailiwick, and of course he mirrored the desired attitude.

From Seattle Times