noun

shepherd

SHEH-puhd

noun

A person whose job is to look after a flock of sheep.

"The shepherd led his flock down from the hills before the storm hit."

Someone who watches over, guides, or takes responsibility for other people.

"As team lead, she saw herself as a shepherd for the newer staff."

"The pastor spoke of shepherding his congregation through hard times."

verb

To guide, look after, or lead people or a process carefully.

"The tour guide shepherded the group safely through the crowded market."

How to Use Shepherd

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that looks after and guides a group, whether literal sheep or people.

Common pairings

shepherd a flock shepherd someone through a good shepherd

shepherded past tense, shepherds plural, Shepherds plural, shepherds singular

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The _____ led his flock down from the hills before the storm hit.

From Old English sceaphierde, a compound of sceap ("sheep") and hierde ("herder") — literally "sheep-herder."