bailiff
2 synonyms for bailiff, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A court officer responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and enforcing the judge's orders.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Middle English baillif, via Anglo-Norman and Old French, ultimately from Latin baiulus ("porter, steward") — the same root as bail.
Full origin of bailiff →Frequently asked questions
What does “bailiff” mean?
The word “bailiff” means a court officer responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and enforcing the judge's orders. In plain terms, a law-enforcement officer who keeps order in court or carries out court orders like debt collection and evictions.
How do you pronounce “bailiff”?
“Bailiff” is pronounced BAY-lihf (/ˈbeɪlɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “bailiff” in a sentence?
Here is “bailiff” used in a sentence: “The bailiff escorted the jury out of the room.”
What is another word for “bailiff”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bailiff” include steward and overseer.
What part of speech is “bailiff”?
“Bailiff” is a noun.
Where does the word “bailiff” come from?
The word “bailiff” comes from Latin. From Middle English baillif, via Anglo-Norman and Old French, ultimately from Latin baiulus ("porter, steward") — the same root as bail.
How many meanings does “bailiff” have?
“Bailiff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a court officer responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and enforcing the judge's orders.
