sheriff

1 of 2

noun (1)

sher·​iff ˈsher-əf How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
Synonyms of sheriffnext
: 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
ˈsher-əf-dəm How to pronounce sheriff (audio)
-təm
noun

sheriffdom

2 of 2

noun (2)

sher·​iff·​dom -fdəm How to pronounce sheriffdom (audio)
plural -s
: shrievalty

Examples of sheriff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Deputies did not arrest him, which the sheriff’s office said is in accordance with state misdemeanor law. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 The sheriff’s office released a photo of the boat with its center console pushed backwards. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026 The witness said the convertible's driver briefly stopped after the crash and drove away, according to the sheriff's office. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 4 July 2026 Wynonna, with help from her younger sister, the town’s sheriff and an infamous Wild West gunslinger, must save her hometown from demons and other supernatural creatures. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sheriff

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English shirrevedom, sherrevedom, shirefdom, sherefdom, from shirreve, sherreve, shiref, sheref sheriff + -dom

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for sheriff

See All Rhymes for sheriff

Browse Nearby Words

sherifa
sheriff
sheriff's court
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheriff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheriff. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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

Noun

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

Noun

Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve (king's agent)

More from Merriam-Webster on sheriff

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sheriff

Nglish: Translation of sheriff for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sheriff

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