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 Cousins
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
Chloe Berge, Outside Online, 17 June 2025
In the valley below, herds of cattle can be seen moseying about.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
The rescue team consisted of more than two dozen people and six boats who would first try herding the dolphin out of the area to avoid capturing and physically handling it, the center said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for herd
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Noun
But as our jeep rumbled down a steep dirt road, obscuring a herd of vicuna in a veil of dust, Bolivia’s Ramaditas Lagoon below looked as otherworldly as the two iconic destinations that bookend the journey.
—Chloe Berge, Outside Online, 17 June 2025
In the valley below, herds of cattle can be seen moseying about.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
Next to the archery fields, around a dozen ger are set up for each of the provinces where camels are herded.
—Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
The rescue team consisted of more than two dozen people and six boats who would first try herding the dolphin out of the area to avoid capturing and physically handling it, the center said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for herd
Cite this Entry
“Herd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herd. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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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