sheriff
/ˈʃerɪf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃerɪf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsher-əf/ (ame, mw)
sheriff — noun
- sheriffsingular
- sheriffsplural
1. a person elected by county residents in the US to serve as the main law enforcem
a person elected by county residents in the US to serve as the main law enforcement officer, responsible for carrying out court orders and keeping peace in the area
The sheriff ordered all residents near the river to leave before the flood arrived.
sheriff + ordered + evacuation
Imani's uncle served as a sheriff's deputy in Arizona for nearly twenty years.
possessive: sheriff's deputy
Residents elected a new sheriff after the previous one decided not to run again.
The county sheriff works closely with state police and local officers to reduce crime.
Hamza reported the missing bicycle to the sheriff's office the same afternoon.
- marshal
a federal law officer in the US or a town-level law officer in some areas; has a different jurisdiction and is not always elected
- police chief
the appointed head of a city police force; unlike a sheriff, a police chief is not elected by the public
- constable
in some US states, a minor law officer with limited duties; historically a more common term in rural areas
文法句型
sheriff + verb
sheriff's + noun
the county + sheriff
用法筆記
In the US, a sheriff is elected by county voters and serves a county area, whereas a police chief is appointed by a city government. The sheriff's office often manages the county jail and provides court security. Common in news reports about crime, emergencies, and public safety.
常見錯誤
2. a person chosen to act as the monarch's ceremonial representative in an English
a person chosen to act as the monarch's ceremonial representative in an English or Welsh county, attending official events and greeting important visitors rather than enforcing the law
The High Sheriff of Surrey presented the prizes at the annual school ceremony.
collocation: High Sheriff of [county]
Vivek's mother served as High Sheriff for Greater London in 2022.
serve as High Sheriff
The sheriff attended the royal garden party as the queen's representative in the county.
Each year a new High Sheriff is appointed to perform ceremonial duties in the county.
- lord lieutenant
the king or queen's personal representative in a county; a higher-ranking ceremonial role than High Sheriff
- ceremonial officer
a general term for someone who performs official duties at public events without law enforcement responsibilities
文法句型
High Sheriff + of + county
the + (High) sheriff + verb
用法筆記
Often called the 'High Sheriff'. This role is almost entirely ceremonial and carries no law enforcement authority, unlike the US sheriff. The position rotates annually and is considered a civic honour. Do not confuse this sense with sense 1.
常見錯誤
3. the most senior judge in a Scottish county, who presides over the Sheriff Court
the most senior judge in a Scottish county, who presides over the Sheriff Court and deals with both criminal and civil legal cases
The sheriff sentenced the man to eighteen months in prison for theft.
Noa argued her case before the sheriff at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
collocation: Sheriff Court
Scottish sheriffs must have extensive legal training before they can serve as judges.
The sheriff principal oversees all sheriffs in a Scottish region and handles appeals.
- judge
a general term for a court official who decides legal cases; less specific than sheriff in the Scottish legal system
- magistrate
a lower-level judge in some legal systems; in Scotland, a magistrate handles minor cases in Justice of the Peace courts, whereas a sheriff handles more serious cases
文法句型
the + sheriff + verb
sheriff + of + county
用法筆記
Distinct from the US sheriff, which is a law enforcement role. In Scotland, a sheriff is a legally trained judge who works in the Sheriff Court — the main court for criminal and civil cases. The 'sheriff principal' is a more senior judge who manages a region's sheriffs and hears appeals.