bailiff
Americannoun
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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.
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(in Britain) a person charged with local administrative authority, or the chief magistrate in certain towns.
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(especially in Britain) an overseer of a landed estate or farm.
noun
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the agent or steward of a landlord or landowner
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a sheriff's officer who serves writs and summonses, makes arrests, and ensures that the sentences of the court are carried out
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(formerly) a high official having judicial powers
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an official having custody of prisoners appearing in court
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bailiff
1250–1300; Middle English baillif < Old French, equivalent to bail custody ( see 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
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Born a Crime
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Crispin: The Cross of Lead
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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.
“I think it’s an unbelievable hire by Lincoln,” said David Bailiff, who worked with Patterson at New Mexico and TCU.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026
“Tom Brady? Deceptive practices? Bailiff, is this connected to deflating footballs?” the judge asks.
From Washington Times • Nov. 9, 2023
Ms Cooper has been appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern by the Chancellor, an archaic process that effectively resigns an MP.
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2022
“Other people were getting shipments of new bed linens or Gatorades or useful things for being in college and he would just send Bailiff Brutality Salsa.”
From The Verge • Oct. 31, 2019
Then, around the corner of the house, came Bailiff Charles, leading five dirty, angry men.
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
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.
