Sheriff Definition

shĕrĭf

noun

A public officer in the United States with responsibility for certain law enforcement and administrative legal duties, such as making arrests and serving processes, usually for a particular county.

American Heritage

In England, esp. formerly, any of various officers of a shire, or county.

Webster's New World

A public officer in various other countries performing certain law enforcement, judicial, or ceremonial functions.

American Heritage

In the U.S., the chief law-enforcement officer of a county, charged in general with the keeping of the peace and the execution of court orders.

Webster's New World

(Scotland) A judge in the sheriff court, the court of a county or sheriffdom.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
officer
marshal
constable
reeve
peace officer
county administrator
county officer

Other Word Forms of Sheriff

Noun

Singular:

sheriff

Plural:

sheriffs

Origin of Sheriff

Middle English the representative of royal authority in a shire from Old English scīrgerēfa scīr shire gerēfa reeve

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old English scīrġerēfa, corresponding to shire + reeve.

From Wiktionary