Standard Lemma guide

sheriffdom

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The regions in which a sheriff has authority.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Crossing the river got him beyond his old nemesis' sheriffdom and into the territory of a more liberal authority.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The office, or period of office, of a sheriff.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • His sheriffdom began with his election and ended with his death.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *skīru Old English sċīr Old English ġerēfa Old English sċīrġerēfa Middle English shirreve English sheriff Proto-Indo-European *dheh1- Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *dhóh1mos Proto-Germanic *dōmaz Proto-Germanic *-dōmaz Proto-West Germanic *-dōm Old English -dōm Middle English -dom English -dom English sheriffdom From sheriff + -dom.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Persian: حوزه استحفاظی (howze-ye estehfâzi) — region