1
a
: a typically large group of animals of one kind kept together under human control
a herd of cattle
b
: a congregation of gregarious wild animals
herds of antelopes
2
a(1)
: a group of people usually having a common bond
a herd of tourists
(2)
: a large assemblage of like things
herds of cars
b
: the undistinguished masses : crowd
isolate the individual prophets from the herd—
Norman Cousins
Norman Cousins
herded; herding; herds
1
a
: to gather, lead, or drive as if in a herd (see herd entry 1 sense 1a)
herded the children into the car
b
: to keep or move (animals) together
dogs that are trained to herd sheep
2
: to place in a group
herd us with their kindred fools—Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift1
: to assemble or move in a herd (see herd entry 1)
herding onto the subway
2
: to place oneself in a group : associate
it is desirable that young noblemen should herd—Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott
Examples of herd in a Sentence
Noun
The herd grazed peacefully in the pasture.
A herd of shoppers waited anxiously for the store to open.
Verb
The horses were herded into the corral.
We left the hotel and were herded onto a bus.
They herded the students into the auditorium.
The commuters herded onto the train.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The Cumberland Island herd recently became the subject of a legal battle.
—Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
Matt Cabral, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Boise, Idaho, was named on NatGeo’s list for its population of Basque people – the highest in the U.S.
The Basques descended from Spanish and French migrants in the late 19th century, and came to the region to herd sheep.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for herd 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Of these, nine calves had access to their mothers twice daily, while the other six were free to move between the calf group and the cow herd at any time.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The Cumberland Island herd recently became the subject of a legal battle.
—Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
The family's in their east camp ranch, happily attempting to herd the 300 cows Kayce just secured at the auction.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Boise, Idaho, was named on NatGeo’s list for its population of Basque people – the highest in the U.S.
The Basques descended from Spanish and French migrants in the late 19th century, and came to the region to herd sheep.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for herd
Articles Related to herd
Dictionary Entries Near herd
Cite this Entry
“Herd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herd. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
herd
1 of 2 noun1
: a number of animals of one kind kept or living together
2
: the common people
herd
2 of 2 verb1
: to assemble or come together into a herd or group
2
: to gather, lead, or drive a herd
herd cattle
herder
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share