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
ˈbā-ləf-ˌship How to pronounce bailiff (audio)
noun

Examples of bailiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, research by U.K. national charity Citizens Advice released in November found that 21% of BNPL customers have either missed or made a late payment, with 10% saying they had been visited by an enforcement agency or bailiffs. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 May 2024 No one bustles like him, delivering paperwork to sometimes weeping tenants and filings to the bailiff. —Mya Frazier, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bailiff 

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

bailiery

bailiff

bailiffry

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

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

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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

Nglish: Translation of bailiff for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bailiff for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bailiff

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