sheriff

American  

[sher-if] / ˈʃɛr ɪf /

noun

1. the law-enforcement officer of a county or other civil subdivision of a state.

2. (formerly) an important civil officer in an English shire.

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sheriff British  

/ ˈʃɛrɪf /

noun

1. (in the US) the chief law-enforcement officer in a county: popularly elected, except in Rhode Island

2. (in England and Wales) the chief executive officer of the Crown in a county, having chiefly ceremonial duties

3. (in Scotland) a judge in any of the sheriff courts

4. (in Australia) an administrative officer of the Supreme Court, who enforces judgments and the execution of writs, empanels juries, etc

5. (in New Zealand) an officer of the High Court

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Other Word Forms

• sheriffdom noun
• subsheriff noun

Etymology

Origin of sheriff

before 1050; Middle English sher ( r ) ef, Old English scīrgerēfa. See shire, reeve ¹

Example Sentences

The sheriff's department also said media reports that a glove was found inside her home or on the property were inaccurate.

From BBC

About two miles from the Guthrie home, investigators discovered a glove on the ground, then several others farther from the home, the sheriff’s department announced Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators are working to identify whom the DNA belongs to, according to the sheriff’s department.

From Los Angeles Times

The sheriff's department said reports that a glove was found inside her home or on the property are inaccurate.

From BBC

On Friday, the sheriff’s department said investigators were inspecting the information in a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie.

From The Wall Street Journal