shepherd

1 of 2

noun

shep·​herd ˈshe-pərd 

1

: a person who tends sheep

2

: pastor

3

: german shepherd

shepherd

2 of 2

verb

shepherded; shepherding; shepherds

transitive verb

1

: to tend as a shepherd

2

: to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd

shepherded the bill through Congress

Synonyms of shepherd

Verb

• guide
• coach
• mentor

Examples of shepherd in a Sentence

Verb

She carefully shepherded the children across the street.

They shepherded the bill through Congress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Dishes of shepherd’s pie blanketed in smooth, buttery mashed potatoes flecked with cheddar cheese. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026

Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, bull terrier breeds, German shepherds and English springer spaniels also are most at risk, the association said. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

Disney did a good job of shepherding the family and their friends through back-door entrances to many attractions, the Sentinel reported back then. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

Bishop, who led Lincoln Center Theater as artistic director from 1992 to 2025, helped shepherd a wide-ranging slate of influential productions during his tenure. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sheepherde, from Old English scēaphyrde, from scēap sheep + hierde herdsman; akin to Old English heord herd

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

circa 1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing shepherd

• Anatolian shepherd
• Australian shepherd
• English shepherd
• German shepherd
• shepherd dog
• shepherd's check
• shepherd's pie
• shepherd's purse

Rhymes for shepherd

• leopard
• peppered

Kids Definition

shepherd

1 of 2 noun

shep·​herd ˈshep-ərd 

1

: a person who takes care of sheep

2

: german shepherd

shepherd

2 of 2 verb

: to care for as or as if a shepherd