sheep

noun

plural sheep
often attributive
1
: any of various hollow-horned typically gregarious ruminant mammals (genus Ovis) related to the goats but stockier and lacking a beard in the male
specifically : one (O. aries) long domesticated especially for its flesh and wool
2
a
: a timid defenseless creature
b
: a timid docile person
especially : one easily influenced or led
3
: leather prepared from the skins of sheep : sheepskin

Examples of sheep in a Sentence

he came to see that the members of the cult were sheep who naively went along with whatever their leader dictated
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The idea of sheep plays into wanting to break stereotypes, challenge stereotypes. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025 Brown and Bongiovi plan to raise their daughter on their Georgia farm, which is home to sheep, goats, cows, donkeys, cats and dogs. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 The Sheep Detectives follows George Hardy (Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 It is piled like a crunchy cloud atop fresh Cretan mizithra cheese and a mix of sheep and goat graviera, a hard yellow cheese from the Peloponnese, and drizzled with local honey syrup. Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheep

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English scēap; akin to Old High German scāf sheep

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheep was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sheep

noun
plural sheep
1
: any of various cud-chewing mammals that are stockier than the related goats and lack a beard in the male
especially : one raised for its wool, skin, or flesh
2
: a weak helpless person who is easily led

More from Merriam-Webster on sheep

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