herd

1 of 2

noun

ˈhərd 

1

a

: a typically large group of animals of one kind kept together under human control

a herd of cattle

b

: a congregation of gregarious wild animals

herds of antelopes

2

a(1)

: a group of people usually having a common bond

a herd of tourists

(2)

: a large assemblage of like things

herds of cars

b

: the undistinguished masses : crowd

isolate the individual prophets from the herd

—Norman Cousins

herdlike

ˈhərd-ˌlīk 

adjective

herd

2 of 2

verb

herded; herding; herds

transitive verb

1

a

: to gather, lead, or drive as if in a herd (see herd entry 1 sense 1a)

herded the children into the car

b

: to keep or move (animals) together

dogs that are trained to herd sheep

2

: to place in a group

herd us with their kindred fools

—Jonathan Swift

intransitive verb

1

: to assemble or move in a herd (see herd entry 1)

herding onto the subway

2

: to place oneself in a group : associate

it is desirable that young noblemen should herd

—Sir Walter Scott

Synonyms

Noun

• drove
• flock

Verb

• drive
• punch
• run

Examples of herd in a Sentence

Noun

The herd grazed peacefully in the pasture.

A herd of shoppers waited anxiously for the store to open.

Verb

The horses were herded into the corral.

We left the hotel and were herded onto a bus.

They herded the students into the auditorium.

The commuters herded onto the train.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Penguin colonies, whales breaching across the yacht’s bow, and herds of seals offer some of the best polar experiences available. —Gemma Harris, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2024

But the early results indicate infections in cows are more widespread than previously thought—so far, outbreaks have been detected in 33 herds across eight states. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English heord; akin to Old High German herta herd, Middle Welsh cordd troop, Lithuanian kerdžius shepherd

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing herd

• follow the herd
• herd immunity
• herd mentality
• ride herd on
• the herd

Kids Definition

herd

1 of 2 noun

ˈhərd 

1

: a number of animals of one kind kept or living together

2

: the common people

herd

2 of 2 verb

1

: to assemble or come together into a herd or group

2

: to gather, lead, or drive a herd

herd cattle

herder noun