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 said nobody had been hurt, but that it would have been different had someone been driving in the other direction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

"He has a right to refuse that test," added the sheriff.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

"Candidates should not try to be the meanest sheriff."

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

After the blast, sheriff officials said the second device was unaccounted for and missing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

“Well, of course. Every team needs a head sheriff and a mission analyst.”

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller