shepherd
[ shep-erd ]
/ ˈʃɛp ərd /
Save This Word!
noun
verb (used with object)
to tend or guard as a shepherd: to shepherd the flock.
to watch over carefully.
SYNONYMS FOR shepherd
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT 
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
OTHER WORDS FROM shepherd
Definition for shepherd (2 of 2)
Shepherd
[ shep-erd ]
/ ˈʃɛp ərd /
noun
a male given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for shepherd
British Dictionary definitions for shepherd (1 of 2)
shepherd
/ (ˈʃɛpəd) /
noun
a person employed to tend sheepFemale equivalent: shepherdess Related adjectives: bucolic, pastoral
a person, such as a clergyman, who watches over or guides a group of people
verb (tr)
to guide or watch over in the manner of a shepherd
Australian rules football to prevent opponents from tackling (a member of one's own team) by blocking their path
Word Origin for shepherd
from Old English sceaphirde. See sheep, herd ²
British Dictionary definitions for shepherd (2 of 2)
Shepherd
noun
astronomy a small moon of (e.g.) Saturn orbiting close to the rings and partly responsible for ring stability
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012