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• shepherd
  shepherd

  noun

  a person who herds, tends, and guards sheep.
• Shepherd
  Shepherd

  noun

  a male given name.

shepherd

¹ American  

[shep-erd] / ˈʃɛp ərd /

noun

1. a person who herds, tends, and guards sheep.

2. a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people.

   Synonyms:

   keeper, defender, guardian, protector

3. a member of the clergy.

4. the Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

5. sheepdog.

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verb (used with object)

1. to tend or guard as a shepherd.

   to shepherd the flock.

2. to watch over carefully.

Shepherd ² American  

[shep-erd] / ˈʃɛp ərd /

noun

1. a male given name.

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shepherd ¹ British  

/ ˈʃɛpəd /

noun

1. Female equivalent: shepherdess.  a person employed to tend sheep

2. a person, such as a clergyman, who watches over or guides a group of people

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verb

1. to guide or watch over in the manner of a shepherd

2. Australian rules football to prevent opponents from tackling (a member of one's own team) by blocking their path

Shepherd ² British  

noun

1. astronomy a small moon of (e.g.) Saturn orbiting close to the rings and partly responsible for ring stability

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Other Word Forms

• shepherdless
  adjective
• shepherdlike
  adjective
• undershepherd
  noun
• unshepherded
  adjective
• unshepherding
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of shepherd

before 1050; Middle English shepherde, Old English scēphyrde. See sheep, herd ²

Explanation

A shepherd is a person who herds flocks or groups of animals. If you traveled to Tibet, you might see a yak shepherd. Shepherd comes from the Old English sceaphierde: sheepherder. Such a person protects sheep from animals that would attack them, keeps them from wandering, and otherwise takes care of the flock. The word is also a verb that describes care of a group — sheep, other animals, even people. You might shepherd your herd of goats, or shepherd your younger siblings through the transition from elementary to middle school.

Example Sentences

Still, much as she was 11 years ago, she remains involved in helping shepherd future generations of international-affairs experts.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

Jones, who has been a shepherd for the Elan Valley Trust for 26 years, said the fire had created uncertainty and he will not know the financial impact until it has been put out.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

After all, Moses was born Jewish, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the Egyptian palace, then lived as a Midianite shepherd for many decades of his adult life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Unless you are at the level of wealth where you’re hiring a full-time money manager to shepherd your family foundation, you should retain control over your finances.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

“Yes,” said Sister McCandless, “that sure is a praying man. I tell you, it ain’t every shepherd tarries before the Lord for his flock like Father James does.”

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin

Related Words

• herder
• herdsman