bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
1
a
: an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions
b
: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher
2
chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm
bailiffship noun

Examples of bailiff 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.
Grisham was also detained and put in handcuffs at the Jan. 14 session after arguing with bailiffs over his right to carry a firearm in the court. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2025 Original story: Hamilton County bailiffs are slated to shutter six Frisch's Big Boys restaurants on Tuesday nearly two weeks after a magistrate issued an eviction order, court officials told The Enquirer. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2024 Stines served as a bailiff in Mullins' court for several years before he was elected sheriff in 2018. Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 2 Oct. 2024 Students were given a case for a mock criminal trial and took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, bailiffs and clerks. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bailiff

Word History

Etymology

Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bailiff was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bailiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bailiff. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

bailiff

noun
bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
1
: any of various officials
especially : a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or doorkeeper
2
chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

Legal Definition

bailiff

noun
bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
: an officer of some courts in the U.S. whose duties usually include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors in deliberation
Etymology

Anglo-French, steward, king's official, from bail stewardship, custody, handing over see bail

More from Merriam-Webster on bailiff

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