From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbailiffbai‧liff /ˈbeɪlɪf/ noun [countable] 1 British EnglishBO someone who looks after a farm or land that belongs to someone else2 American English an official of the legal system who watches prisoners and keeps order in a court of law3 British EnglishSCLSCT an official of the legal system who can take people’s goods or property when they owe money
Examples from the Corpus
bailiff• The arrival of a bailiff can easily lead to confrontation, and most people don't know their rights.• The lawyers, policemen and bailiffs grinned, along with the clerk.• Sending in bailiffs was the last straw.• One shop visited by the bailiffs, and still in business, blames a huge drop in predicted turnover.• Thereafter he was allowed only six boatloads of brushwood a year, to be taken out under view of the bailiff.• For the rest, the bailiff pretended to consult him, then did as he thought best.• Even more telling is the example of Ralph Snaith, the bailiff of Pontefract.• The bailiffs are due in just eleven days.From Longman Business Dictionarybailiffbai‧liff /ˈbeɪlɪf/ noun [countable]LAW1British English an official of the legal system who has the right to take the goods or property of a person or organization in debt, in order to pay off the debtsIf the fines remain unpaid, bailiffs can enter your home and take away your possessions.2American English an official of the legal system who watches prisoners and keeps order in a court of lawOrigin bailiff (1200-1300) Old French baillif, from bail; → BAIL1 