shepherd

1 of 2

noun

shep·​herd ˈshe-pərd 

1

: a person who tends sheep

2

: pastor

3

: german shepherd

shepherd

2 of 2

verb

shepherded; shepherding; shepherds

transitive verb

1

: to tend as a shepherd

2

: to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd

shepherded the bill through Congress

Synonyms

Verb

• coach
• counsel
• guide
• lead
• mentor
• pilot
• show
• tutor

Examples of shepherd in a Sentence

Verb

She carefully shepherded the children across the street.

They shepherded the bill through Congress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pet parents spend the most on golden retrievers, beagles, german shepherds, labrador retrievers, and dachshunds, according to Empower. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 June 2024

Locals who know the rugged terrain well, including shepherds, are all involved. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 14 June 2024

Verb

Founded by Jeff and Nicole Friday in 1997, this year’s festival, held in Miami from June 12-16, was shepherded by longtime Angeleno and multihyphenate Issa Rae as the festival’s creative director. —Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2024

Levy shepherds several freelance reviewers who contribute to the Journal Sentinel's coverage of Summerfest. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sheepherde, from Old English scēaphyrde, from scēap sheep + hierde herdsman; akin to Old English heord herd

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shepherd

• Anatolian shepherd
• Australian shepherd
• English shepherd
• German shepherd
• shepherd dog
• shepherd's check
• shepherd's pie
• shepherd's purse

Kids Definition

shepherd

1 of 2 noun

shep·​herd ˈshep-ərd 

1

: a person who takes care of sheep

2

: german shepherd

shepherd

2 of 2 verb

: to care for as or as if a shepherd