Sheriff

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈʃɛɹɪf/

Origin

From Old English scīrġerēfa, corresponding to shire + reeve.

Full definition of sheriff

Noun

1. (British, except Scotland) (High Sheriff) An official of a shire or county office, responsible for carrying out court orders and other duties.
2. (Scotland) A judge in the sheriff court, the court of a county or sheriffdom.
3. (US) A police officer, usually the chief of police for a county or other district.

Alternative forms

• shrieve obsolete

Derived terms

• sheriffalty
• sheriffdom
• sheriffry
• sheriffship
• sheriffwick