herd
1Sometimes Disparaging. a large group of people: The star was mobbed by a herd of autograph seekers.
any large quantity: a herd of bicycles.
the herd, the common people; the masses; the rabble: He had no opinions of his own, but simply followed the herd.
to unite or go in a herd; assemble or associate as a herd.
Idioms about herd
ride herd on, to have charge or control of; maintain discipline over: He rode herd on 40 students in each class.
Origin of herd
1synonym study For herd
Grammar notes for herd
Other words for herd
Words that may be confused with herd
- heard, herd
Words Nearby herd
Other definitions for herd (2 of 2)
a person in charge of a herd (usually used in combination): a cowherd;a goatherd;a shepherd.
to tend, drive, or lead (cattle, sheep, etc.).
to conduct or drive (a group of people) to a destination: The teacher herded the children into the classroom.
Origin of herd
2Other words for herd
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use herd in a sentence
If enough people resist getting a vaccine, herd immunity could be difficult to reach.
It is a good example of an effective partnership between community leaders and the public to do what’s best for humans and deer herds.
Four wild animals that are thriving in cities | By Ryan Chelius/Outdoor Life | February 9, 2021 | Popular-ScienceOne way the pandemic can end is via “herd immunity”—that is, when enough people are vaccinated, or infected, for the outbreak to recede on its own because there aren’t enough people left to infect.
So you got the vaccine. Can you still infect people? Pfizer is trying to find out. | Stephanie Arnett | February 2, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewThat could delay herd immunity until the fall or later, scientists say.
Many who have received the coronavirus vaccine wonder: What can I safely do? | Laurie McGinley, Lenny Bernstein | February 1, 2021 | Washington PostThe road to herd immunity from the coronavirus suddenly looks longer.
Coronavirus mutations add urgency to vaccination effort as experts warn of long battle ahead | Joel Achenbach, Ariana Eunjung Cha | January 30, 2021 | Washington Post
While his trombone skills are decent, he certainly draws a crowd—or rather, a herd.
Viral Video of the Day: Farmer Summons Cattle With ‘Royals’ Cover | Alex Chancey | August 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSince measles is so contagious, even with herd immunity, it can find a weak link and spread.
A Fully Vaccinated Woman Contracted and Then Spread Measles. WTF? | Elizabeth Lopatto | April 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey will learn that I am a herd-bound mouthpiece for the scientific status quo.
How Creationism Hurts Christian Colleges—And Their Students | Karl W. Giberson | February 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWith Napolitano exiting unexpectedly, Obama must find someone else capable of riding herd over the massive, unruly agency.
The Short List of Candidates to Replace Janet Napolitano at DHS | Daniel Klaidman | July 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe mahouts would have steered pairs of kookies so as to separate a grown elephant from the herd, squeezing in on either side.
How to Capture an Elephant: Excerpt From Michael Daly’s ‘Topsy’ | Michael Daly | July 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWho can explain the sixth sense that warns a night-herder of a stampede a moment before the herd jumps off the bed-ground?
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairWhy send her a picture of a slate-colored cow when a herd of Durhams pastures every day right under her eye?
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydAs if to prove that he was a true prophet, the herd split against a rocky pinnacle, and on this we stranded.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairThe sentinels signaled at a sign of danger, and then the herd ran; and so their enemies learned to hunt by following the chase.
The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth DoppWhenever a herd reached a branching valley, a big bison led off a small herd.
The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth Dopp
British Dictionary definitions for herd (1 of 2)
/ (hɜːd) /
a large group of mammals living and feeding together, esp a group of cattle, sheep, etc
often derogatory a large group of people
derogatory the large mass of ordinary people
to collect or be collected into or as if into a herd
Origin of herd
1British Dictionary definitions for herd (2 of 2)
/ (hɜːd) /
archaic, or dialect a man or boy who tends livestock; herdsman
(in combination): goatherd; swineherd
to drive forwards in a large group
to look after (livestock)
Origin of herd
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with herd
see ride herd on.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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