bailiff
Americannoun
-
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.
-
(in Britain) a person charged with local administrative authority, or the chief magistrate in certain towns.
-
(especially in Britain) an overseer of a landed estate or farm.
noun
-
the agent or steward of a landlord or landowner
-
a sheriff's officer who serves writs and summonses, makes arrests, and ensures that the sentences of the court are carried out
-
(formerly) a high official having judicial powers
-
an official having custody of prisoners appearing in court
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
Explanation
A bailiff is an officer of the court. A bailiff has duties such as making arrests and maintaining order in court. This legal officer has a different job depending on the country: in the US, a bailiff is a kind of court usher and security guard. In the UK, bailiffs carry out writs and execute repossession orders. In all cases, the bailiff serves a higher authority: the court. This may be because the word was first used for officers of the king, including sheriffs and mayors. As democratic authorities replaced monarchies, the concept of the bailiff evolved.
Vocabulary lists containing bailiff
Just Mercy
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Born a Crime
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Crispin: The Cross of Lead
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Similarly bailiff repossessions were rising again after a dip during the Covid-19 pandemic.
From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025
McKillen’s lawyers told the Irish Times that their client “vigorously denies any violence or any wrongdoing” against the bailiff and claimed the allegations against him were “false.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025
The former deputy, Ben Fields, was Stines' successor as bailiff.
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
“Mrs. Carolyn Maull McKinstry,” the bailiff finally called.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
