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

Nala, a 5-year-old German shepherd mix, is awaiting adoption at the San Diego Humane Society’s El Cajon campus Facebook Show more sharing options Animal: Nala, a 5-year-old female German shepherd mix; No. 904727. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024

Ragnar is a stunning, statuesque-looking German shepherd who wants nothing more than to be accepted into a loving home with humans who will shower him with affection. —Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2024

Verb

Chuck Grassley, Iowa’s longtime Republican senator, shepherded the Rural Emergency Hospital program into law. —Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Investors poured money into early-stage companies, hoping to shepherd them through the perilous journey from idea to product-market fit. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 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