herd

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈhərd 

1

a

: a typically large group of animals of one kind kept together under human control

a herd of cattle

b

: a congregation of gregarious wild animals

herds of antelopes

2

a(1)

: a group of people usually having a common bond

a herd of tourists

(2)

: a large assemblage of like things

herds of cars

b

: the undistinguished masses : crowd

… isolate the individual prophets from the herd …

—Norman Cousins

refused to follow the herd [=do what other people do]

herdlike

ˈhərd-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

ride herd on

herd

2 of 3

verb

herded; herding; herds

transitive verb

1

a

: to gather, lead, or drive as if in a herd (see herd entry 1 sense 1a)

herded the children into the car

b

: to keep or move (animals) together

dogs that are trained to herd sheep

2

: to place in a group

… herd us with their kindred fools …

—Jonathan Swift

intransitive verb

1

: to assemble or move in a herd (see herd entry 1)

herding onto the subway

2

: to place oneself in a group : associate

… it is desirable that young noblemen should herd …

—Sir Walter Scott

the herd

3 of 3

noun (2)

: common people : people as a group

He always sticks with the herd and does what the others do.

I refuse to follow the herd.

Synonyms of herd

Noun (1)

• flock

Verb

• drive

Examples of herd in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The herd grazed peacefully in the pasture.

A herd of shoppers waited anxiously for the store to open.

Verb

The horses were herded into the corral.

We left the hotel and were herded onto a bus.

They herded the students into the auditorium.

The commuters herded onto the train.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Serious safari-goers can also take day trips to Hwange National Park to see the endangered wild dog, and to Chobe National Park with its massive elephant herds across the border in Botswana. — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Like so much in our fractious public discourse these days, the Inland Empire’s mysterious wild donkey herds are sparking fierce, sometimes scary debate. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

And while his animals could pass through the vehicle barriers, the cowboys herding them could not. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

After years of herding his state’s liberal cats, Newsom treats the new breed of progressive ideologues—New York mayor Zohran Mamdani being the exemplar—as Johnny-come-latelies. — Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Despite the extensive commentary swirling around the burros, surprisingly little is known about the herd itself. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

This is where observing the herd can create a surprisingly useful learning moment. — Paula Johnston, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Old English heord; akin to Old High German herta herd, Middle Welsh cordd troop, Lithuanian kerdžius shepherd

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing herd

• herd immunity
• herd mentality
• ride herd on
• the herd

Rhymes for herd

• blurred
• burd
• curd
• curred
• furred
• gerd
• gird
• kurd
• nerd
• purred
• sherd
• slurred

Kids Definition

herd

1 of 2 noun

ˈhərd 

1

: a number of animals of one kind kept or living together

2

: the common people

herd

2 of 2 verb

1

: to assemble or come together into a herd or group

2

: to gather, lead, or drive a herd

herd cattle

herder noun