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
The Dixon sheep was installed in June 2024.
—
Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
The event continues through Saturday with about 650 Travis County FFA and 4-H participants, ages 8 to 18, showing rabbits, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats and cattle for more than $500,000 in scholarship money.
—Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Leather Coats and Jackets Leather is often made from cowhide, but it can also be made from the hide of other animals, such as bison, deer, goat, and sheep.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
They are created by taking a lamb or sheep pelt and tanning its hide—that would be the sheepskin part of the equation—while also shaving down its wool, aka, the shearling, to a uniform length.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sheep
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Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
The event continues through Saturday with about 650 Travis County FFA and 4-H participants, ages 8 to 18, showing rabbits, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats and cattle for more than $500,000 in scholarship money.
—Staff Photographer, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Leather Coats and Jackets Leather is often made from cowhide, but it can also be made from the hide of other animals, such as bison, deer, goat, and sheep.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
They are created by taking a lamb or sheep pelt and tanning its hide—that would be the sheepskin part of the equation—while also shaving down its wool, aka, the shearling, to a uniform length.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sheep
Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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