herder

noun

herd·​er ˈhər-dər How to pronounce herder (audio)
Synonyms of herdernext
: one that herds
specifically : a person who manages, breeds, or tends to livestock : herdsman sense 1

Examples of herder in a Sentence

the nomadic reindeer herders of Siberia live in reindeer-skin tents
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Set in the small town of Kharkams, in South Africa’s mountainous Kamiesberg region, the film follows an elderly goat herder, Hettie, who falls victim to a scam promising long-overdue reparations for her father’s WWII service. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026 The topography, weather, cultures and other factors were drastically distinct from Old World norms, so managing cattle required something beyond the skill sets of Andalusian herders. Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026 Unless your dream in life is to become an executive-level cat-herder, the answer here is self-evident. Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026 In central states, climate change has sharpened competition over land and water, intensifying clashes between farmers and herders. Yusuf Tuggar, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herder

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herder was in 1635

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Cite this Entry

“Herder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herder. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

Biographical Definition

Herder

biographical name

Her·​der ˈher-dər How to pronounce Herder (audio)
Johann Gottfried von 1744–1803 German philosopher

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