sheep

noun

ˈshēp How to pronounce sheep (audio)
plural sheep
Synonyms of sheepnext
often attributive
1
: any of various hollow-horned typically gregarious ruminant mammals (genus Ovis) related to the goats but stockier and lacking a beard in the male
specifically : one (O. aries) long domesticated especially for its flesh and wool
2
a
: a timid defenseless creature
b
: a timid docile person
especially : one easily influenced or led
3
: leather prepared from the skins of sheep : sheepskin
see also:
wolf in sheep's clothing

Synonyms of sheep

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Examples of sheep in a Sentence

he came to see that the members of the cult were sheep who naively went along with whatever their leader dictated
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2025, the company imported $71 million worth of Canadian cheese — including sheep's and goat's milk cheese, mascarpone, brie, camembert and the hybrid cheese borgonzola, the complaint says. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 Every spring, Frank Shirts, a local sheep rancher, moves his sheep through the Foothills. — Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026 Some public school advocates have called the tax credit as a wolf in sheep’s clothing aimed at further privatizing public education. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Both wear coarse, sheep’s wool djellabas over trekking pants and plaid shirts and have turban-like scarves, known as shesh, piled high on their heads. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sheep

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English scēap; akin to Old High German scāf sheep

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheep was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing sheep

Rhymes for sheep

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Browse Nearby Words

sheeny
sheep
sheep's-bane
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sheep

noun
ˈshēp How to pronounce sheep (audio)
plural sheep
1
: any of various cud-chewing mammals that are stockier than the related goats and lack a beard in the male
especially : one raised for its wool, skin, or flesh
2
: a weak helpless person who is easily led

More from Merriam-Webster on sheep

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sheep

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