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 of shepherd

Verb

• guide
• coach
• mentor

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

In one image, Grande’s Olivia Jones stands beside De Niro’s Byrnes, who wears a decidedly skeptical expression, her hand resting on his German shepherd. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026

Young shepherds, known as Hilltop Youth, are often behind the violence. — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026

Verb

Watkins said that despite being in the top role, business leaders will always need people—and finding the best way to shepherd them can be a challenge for busy executives. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

The sheep references our family’s English shepherding heritage. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

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

circa 1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing shepherd

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

Rhymes for shepherd

• leopard
• peppered

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