shepherd
Person who looks after sheep
A person who takes care of sheep, keeping them together and safe, usually in fields or hills.
[someone] is a shepherd
- The shepherd led his flock down from the hills before the storm arrived.
- From our car window we saw a shepherd resting under a tree while his sheep grazed.
- A local shepherd offered to guide the hikers along the safest path through the valley.
- The young shepherd whistled, and the sheep quickly followed him back to the pen.
- The shepherd walks with his sheep every day.
- A shepherd must watch the sheep carefully at night.
- We saw a shepherd and many sheep on the mountain.
- The shepherd brings the sheep back to the farm in the evening.
Guide people or things carefully
To lead and look after people or things so they move safely and smoothly through a process or place.
to shepherd [someone/something] through [a process/place]
- The minister worked hard to shepherd the reform bill through parliament.
- Volunteers helped shepherd the children through the crowded station.
- A project manager was hired to shepherd the new product from idea to launch.
- Security staff will shepherd guests toward the exits at the end of the concert.
- Teachers shepherd the students into the hall for the exam.
- The lawyer will shepherd your case through the court system.
- Staff members shepherded the visitors through the museum.
- A coach can shepherd a young player through their first big game.
Leader and carer of people
A person who looks after a group of people and guides them, especially in religious or moral life.
[someone] is a shepherd to [group]
- The priest saw his role as a shepherd to the small rural community.
- She became a gentle shepherd for young activists, helping them stay focused on their goals.
- In his farewell speech, he thanked his congregation for allowing him to be their shepherd for so many years.
- The book describes a good manager as a shepherd of the team, not just a boss.
- The pastor is a shepherd for his church.
- A good teacher can be a shepherd for her students.
- He acted as a shepherd for the new workers in the company.
- People in the village saw her as their shepherd and guide.
Herd and control sheep
To bring sheep or other animals together and lead them to another place.
to shepherd [animals] into [a place]
- They had to shepherd the sheep into the barn before nightfall.
- A pair of dogs helped the farmer shepherd the flock down the narrow lane.
- The children watched their grandfather shepherd the goats back to the farm.
- Farmers would gather at dawn to shepherd their animals toward the summer pastures.
- The farmer shepherds the sheep into the field every morning.
- Two dogs help him shepherd the animals.
- After the storm, they quickly shepherded the sheep into the barn.
- The boy learned how to shepherd the lambs with his father.
Dog used to herd animals
A dog that learns to help farmers move and control sheep or other animals.
[someone] owns a shepherd
- The shepherd barked loudly as it brought the sheep back to the gate.
- They keep a young shepherd on the farm to help control the flock.
- A well-trained shepherd can move a large group of sheep with just a few sounds.
- Their old shepherd still insists on going out to the fields every morning.
- The farmer has one shepherd and many sheep.
- A shepherd runs around the field to move the animals.
- They bought a shepherd to help with the flock.
- The little shepherd puppy is learning to work with sheep.
- Base: shepherd
- Plural: shepherds
- Base: shepherd
- 3rd Person Singular: shepherds
- Present Participle: shepherding
- Past: shepherded
Australian shepherd
1Australian shepherd dog breed
A medium-sized dog breed that is very active and is used on farms to move and control sheep and other animals.
- Their Australian shepherd is happiest when it has work to do on the farm.
- Australian shepherds are popular with people who enjoy outdoor sports.
- She takes her Australian shepherd to agility training every weekend.
shepherd someone into something
1Lead people as a group into
To lead people as a group into a place or situation, making sure they stay together and move in the right way.
- Security guards shepherded fans into the stadium as the gates opened.
- Teachers quickly shepherded the children into the classroom when the rain started.
- Staff members shepherded guests into the hall for the ceremony.
shepherd someone through something
1Guide someone carefully through something
To help and guide a person or thing through a process so that they reach the end safely and successfully.
- An experienced official will shepherd you through the visa application process.
- The director personally shepherded the film through months of difficult negotiations.
- Volunteers shepherded the visitors through the busy airport.
shepherd's crook
1Shepherd's curved staff
A long stick with a hook at one end that a shepherd uses to catch and control sheep.
- He carried a traditional shepherd's crook while watching the flock.
- The statue shows a shepherd holding a crook in one hand.
- Children in the play used a toy shepherd's crook as a prop.
shepherd's pie
1Baked meat and potato dish
A hot dish made with cooked minced meat covered with mashed potatoes and baked in the oven.
- We had homemade shepherd's pie for dinner on a cold night.
- The pub serves a traditional shepherd's pie with vegetables on the side.
- She taught her son how to make a simple shepherd's pie.
The Lord is my shepherd
1Biblical line about divine guidance
A famous sentence from the Bible that means the speaker trusts God to guide and protect them like a shepherd.
- The words "The Lord is my shepherd" are written on the old church window.
- She found comfort in the line "The Lord is my shepherd" during hard times.
- Many hymns begin with the phrase "The Lord is my shepherd."
German Shepherd
1Breed of dog from Germany
A large, strong dog that often works with police or as a guard dog.
- The police trained a German Shepherd for search missions.
- They adopted a German Shepherd from the animal shelter.
- Her family owns a friendly German Shepherd.
- German Shepherds are often trained as police and search-and-rescue dogs.
- Her German Shepherd needs a lot of exercise every day.