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
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 booth, in the lobby of a new arena adjacent to the sheep barn, will open daily by lunch until the rodeo starts, along with other Stock Show restaurants, concessions and vendors.
—
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025
So, what makes alpaca wool different from Merino wool (a kind of sheep wool)?
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025
They have been replaced with new hair sheep leather.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
In fact, during the summer (from August to October) the trail is closed entirely to protect the sheep herds that rely on the surface water that can be found in the oasis.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sheep 
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Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025
So, what makes alpaca wool different from Merino wool (a kind of sheep wool)?
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025
They have been replaced with new hair sheep leather.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
In fact, during the summer (from August to October) the trail is closed entirely to protect the sheep herds that rely on the surface water that can be found in the oasis.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sheep
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Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sheep
noun
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
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