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
Lagoons that are home to rare flamingos; vegetation that feeds goats, sheep, and guanacos; and a way of life followed by Indigenous Atacameño communities for thousands of years may all be in danger.
—
Vince Beiser, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Smithfield, built just beyond the old Roman wall, became the go-to place for the sale of horses, sheep and cattle later that century.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Baur estimates the organization has saved over 10,000 animals, including chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats and ducks.
—Maya Blackstone, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Those animals include three horses, two goats, one sheep, four pigs, seven barn cats, 50 chickens, two roosters, nine ducks and Tama the turkey.
—Jenna Intersimone, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sheep 
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Vince Beiser, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Smithfield, built just beyond the old Roman wall, became the go-to place for the sale of horses, sheep and cattle later that century.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Baur estimates the organization has saved over 10,000 animals, including chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats and ducks.
—Maya Blackstone, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Those animals include three horses, two goats, one sheep, four pigs, seven barn cats, 50 chickens, two roosters, nine ducks and Tama the turkey.
—Jenna Intersimone, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sheep
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Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
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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