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

The pair also co-starred in the beloved mystery dramedy The Sheep Detectives (2026), with Jackman playing shepherd George Hardy and Stewart voicing a sheep named Sir Ritchfield. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2026

Shelter records show the German shepherd was transferred to a shelter in Irvine. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Askar sought to repeal and replace the policy, which was shepherded through Congress by former President Barack Obama in an effort to provide more health care coverage to Americans, due to increasing costs. — Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Additional Lionsgate series Hollin has shepherded include The Recruit and Dear White People for Netflix, Mythic Quest and Acapulco for Apple TV, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist for NBC, and Home Economics for ABC. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 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