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
Examples of bailiff in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In their final claim, the attorneys argue in the motion that during deliberations, the court’s bailiff saw jurors using their cellphones and laptop computers.
—
Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
With Mathis in the judge’s chair, Amir — who completed training to become an official sheriff reserve officer — serves as the courtroom’s bailiff maintaining order in the court.
—Makena Gera, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The visit to the grandmother goes bad when the shooter, who’s a teen like the fake bailiff was, runs to the roof and jumps to his death rather than surrender to the police.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
The local sheriff said agents identified themselves with their badges and federal credentials to a bailiff.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bailiff
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Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
With Mathis in the judge’s chair, Amir — who completed training to become an official sheriff reserve officer — serves as the courtroom’s bailiff maintaining order in the court.
—Makena Gera, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The visit to the grandmother goes bad when the shooter, who’s a teen like the fake bailiff was, runs to the roof and jumps to his death rather than surrender to the police.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
The local sheriff said agents identified themselves with their badges and federal credentials to a bailiff.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bailiff
Cite this Entry
“Bailiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bailiff. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bailiff
noun
bai·liff
ˈbā-ləf 
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
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