Definition of "herd" in English

noun

1. A number of domestic animals assembled together under the watch or ownership of a keeper.

   • a herd of cattle
   • a herd of sheep
   • a herd of goats

2. Any collection of animals gathered or travelling in a company.

3. (now usually derogatory) A crowd, a mass of people or things; a rabble.

   • I was never one to follow the herd.

verb

1. (intransitive) To unite or associate in a herd; to feed or run together, or in company.

   • Sheep herd on many hills.

2. (transitive) To unite or associate in a herd

3. (transitive) To manage, care for or guard a herd

   • He is employed to herd the goats.

4. (intransitive) To associate; to ally oneself with, or place oneself among, a group or company.

5. To move, or be moved, in a group. (of both animals and people)

   • On alighting at the station, we were all herded over the footbridge and through a side exit.

noun

1. (now rare) Someone who keeps a group of domestic animals.

   • Near-synonym: herdsman

verb

1. (intransitive, Scotland) To act as a herdsman or a shepherd.

2. (transitive) To form or put into a herd.

3. (transitive) To move or drive a herd.

   • I heard the herd of cattle being herded home from a long way away.