sheep

noun

ˈshēp 

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

Synonyms of sheep

• innocent
• angel
• lamb

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 moment has been so baked into America's cultural cake that Tea Party Republicans parroted the phrase, not realizing that the film is a satire of sheep mentality and the man who authored it (screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky) was a political lefty. —Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026

The farmer manages a male-only herd of sheep. —Lisa Gutierrez march 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026

The first violins were strung with sheep intestines, while early timpanis bore heads made from goatskin. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026

The pair were able to catch the sheep after herding it into a fenced area, Knicely’s email said. —Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English scēap; akin to Old High German scāf sheep

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sheep

• aoudad sheep
• Barbary sheep
• bighorn sheep
• black sheep
• blue sheep
• Dall sheep
• Dall's sheep
• fat-tailed sheep
• mountain sheep
• Rocky Mountain sheep
• separate the sheep from the goats
• sheep fescue
• sheep ked
• sheep laurel
• sheep's eye
• sheep sorrel
• sheep walk
• wolf in sheep's clothing

Rhymes for sheep

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sleep

Kids Definition

sheep

noun

ˈshēp 

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