bailiff

noun

bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
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
bailiffship noun

Examples of bailiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Banks was transferred to the San Diego County courthouse, spending most of the last years of his Sheriff’s Department career serving as a bailiff. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 The bailiff reached over the witness stand to push the barrel toward the floor. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 Meghan Trainor and Jury Duty star Ronald Gladden also appear in the hilarious spot as appalled jury members, while former NFL football player and current sports analyst Emmanuel Acho plays the bailiff. Staff Author, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, Meghan Trainor's lips are moving as the courtroom correspondent and former NFL linebacker and Emmy-winning television host Emmanuel Acho keeps order in the court as the bailiff. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2024 McElveen also testified that Hill and a bailiff drove a juror home, which McElveen said should not be done because clerks should not be talking one on one with jurors. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2024 Daytime Program Host Eligibility Hosts, Co-Hosts, and Correspondents from Entertainment News and Legal/Courtroom Programs (e.g. the judges and bailiffs) are now eligible within the Daytime Personality – Daily or Daytime Personality – Non-Daily category depending on airing/streaming schedule. Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2024 Marsha Warfield, who spent six seasons playing no-nonsense bailiff Roz Russell on the original incarnation of the NBC sitcom, guest-starred in Tuesday's episode of the Night Court revival, after her appearance was briefly teased in the season 1 finale. EW.com, 2 Jan. 2024 Judge Sheindlin is joined in the courtroom by law clerk Sarah Rose, court stenographer Whitney Kumar and bailiff Kevin Rasco. Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bailiff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bailiff was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bailiff

Cite this Entry

“Bailiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bailiff. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bailiff

noun
bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
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

bailiff

noun
bai·​liff ˈbā-ləf How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
: an officer of some courts in the U.S. whose duties usually include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors in deliberation
Etymology

Anglo-French, steward, king's official, from bail stewardship, custody, handing over see bail

More from Merriam-Webster on bailiff

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