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
Norman Cousinsrefused to follow the herd [=do what other people do]
herded; herding; herds
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
Jonathan Swift1
: 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
Sir Walter ScottExamples 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
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
With a herd of his Jazz teammates, his former high school coach and even the mayor of Lewisville in the house for the occasion, George was saluted in a pregame ceremony that highlighted his stellar career thus far and presented with a personalized basketball and plaque.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Much of the resort's art was also sourced from the local community (curated by Echo Arts in Bozeman) and pays homage to the area's rich cattle herding history.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for herd
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Noun
No locals had dared help the rancher repair his fence and care for his herd because of the cartel requisites, leaving the rancher with a limited employment pool.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
With a herd of his Jazz teammates, his former high school coach and even the mayor of Lewisville in the house for the occasion, George was saluted in a pregame ceremony that highlighted his stellar career thus far and presented with a personalized basketball and plaque.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
This weekend, Central Winds Park in Winter Springs will resemble the rolling hills of Scotland, complete with bagpipes, Highland games, herding dogs and even haggis.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Much of the resort's art was also sourced from the local community (curated by Echo Arts in Bozeman) and pays homage to the area's rich cattle herding history.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for herd
Cite this Entry
“Herd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herd. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
herd
1 of 2 noun1
: a number of animals of one kind kept or living together
2
: the common people
herd
2 of 2 verb1
: to assemble or come together into a herd or group
2
: to gather, lead, or drive a herd
herd cattle
herder
noun
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