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

Verb

• coach
• counsel
• guide
• lead
• mentor
• pilot
• show
• tutor

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

Hello Fresh's specialty kit included ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards to create both a shepherd’s pie and a classic English trifle. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2024

Throughout the day, the Pie Room will offer pies of all sorts, including a shepherd’s pie with buttered crust, along with breads and patisserie. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

Das, who shepherded India’s demonetization initiative in 2016 prior to his time at the central bank, was seen as key to normalizing the RBI’s relationship with the government and steering India through the economic turbulence of the Covid-19 pandemic. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024

Its leaders become priests who shepherd their flocks according to the doctrinaire agenda of their faith. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

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

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shepherd

• Anatolian shepherd
• Australian shepherd
• English shepherd
• German shepherd
• shepherd dog
• shepherd's check
• shepherd's pie
• shepherd's purse

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