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: an important official of a shire or county charged primarily with judicial duties (such as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)
Examples of sheriff in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, 13 Colorado police departments and sheriff’s offices that killed one person in 2023 have reported zero shootings so far this year.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
The victim was identified as Adrian Puga, of Salinas, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
The incident is under investigation by the sheriff’s office and no further information will be released at this time, Fall said.
—Matt Henson, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 2024
Waters said the sheriff's office has received threats against one of two Black officers seen on social media video.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Sheriff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheriff. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
sheriff
noun
sher·iff
ˈsher-əf
: an official of a county who is in charge of enforcing the law
Etymology
Middle English shirreve "sheriff," from Old English scīrgerēfa "sheriff," from scīr "shire, county" and gerēfa "a government agent"
Legal Definition
sheriff
noun
sher·iff
: an official of a county or parish charged primarily with judicial duties (as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)
Etymology
Old English scīrgerēfa, from scīr shire + gerēfa reeve (king's agent)
More from Merriam-Webster on sheriff
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sheriff
Nglish: Translation of sheriff for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sheriff
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