plural sheep
often attributive
1
: any of various hollow-horned typically gregarious ruminant mammals (genus Ovis) related to the goats but stockier and lacking a beard in the male
specifically
: one (O. aries) long domesticated especially for its flesh and wool
2
a
: a timid defenseless creature
b
: a timid docile person
especially
: one easily influenced or led
3
: leather prepared from the skins of sheep : sheepskin
Examples of sheep in a Sentence
he came to see that the members of the cult were sheep who naively went along with whatever their leader dictated
Recent Examples on the Web
The farm’s Dirt Lover cheese (a pure sheep’s milk, bloomy rind cheese with a vegetable ash coating) is a 2025 Community Choice Good Food Award winner.
—
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
This is especially important at a time when the number of sheep in the United States has declined in recent years.
—Nathaniel Trojanoski, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
Best for Solo Train Enthusiasts: Scotland Discover the incredible and indelible beauty of the Scottish highlands, full of lochs, glens, castles and fluffy highland cows and sheep on a journey with Vacations by Rail.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
The two dogs have also been trained to chase sheep and goats.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheep
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Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
This is especially important at a time when the number of sheep in the United States has declined in recent years.
—Nathaniel Trojanoski, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
Best for Solo Train Enthusiasts: Scotland Discover the incredible and indelible beauty of the Scottish highlands, full of lochs, glens, castles and fluffy highland cows and sheep on a journey with Vacations by Rail.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
The two dogs have also been trained to chase sheep and goats.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheep
Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sheep
noun
plural sheep
1
: any of various cud-chewing mammals that are stockier than the related goats and lack a beard in the male
especially
: one raised for its wool, skin, or flesh
2
: a weak helpless person who is easily led
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