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 ScottExamples 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
Lynn O'Rourke Hayes, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
At daybreak on a misty-blue Wednesday, a herd of cows and bulls are horseplaying on a South Florida prairie when a tractor roars to life, hoisting in its jaws a hay bale as golden as the sun.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
While trying to herd his family away from the sound of gunfire, Lemons took a bullet in the leg, according to the lawsuit.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for herd
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Noun
Each year the public has been invited to hear the thunder of hooves and photograph the moment as experienced riders round up a herd of some 1,300 buffalo during the state’s Buffalo Round Up and Arts Festival.
—Lynn O'Rourke Hayes, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
At daybreak on a misty-blue Wednesday, a herd of cows and bulls are horseplaying on a South Florida prairie when a tractor roars to life, hoisting in its jaws a hay bale as golden as the sun.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
The term was adopted into English in the early 19th century, especially in the context of cattle herding in the American West.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
While trying to herd his family away from the sound of gunfire, Lemons took a bullet in the leg, according to the lawsuit.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for herd
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Cite this Entry
“Herd.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herd. Accessed 22 Mar. 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
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