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
An opening montage includes a bloodied sheep ostensibly mauled by an ochi.
—
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Beyond the sheep and horse, the day’s finds include part of a wolverine and an American cheetah petrosal bone.
—Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
The only things missing from the mill are the sheep themselves: Many of them are busy grazing fields a few states over in the Rocky Mountains.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Animal leather is usually made from the skin of animals the vast majority comes from the beef industry, i.e. cows, but animal leather can also be derived from the skin of pigs, sheep, snakes, horses, and more.
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheep
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Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Beyond the sheep and horse, the day’s finds include part of a wolverine and an American cheetah petrosal bone.
—Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
The only things missing from the mill are the sheep themselves: Many of them are busy grazing fields a few states over in the Rocky Mountains.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Animal leather is usually made from the skin of animals the vast majority comes from the beef industry, i.e. cows, but animal leather can also be derived from the skin of pigs, sheep, snakes, horses, and more.
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheep
Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 18 May. 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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