sheep

noun

plural sheep
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

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 East Chisenbury, sheep dominated the feast, and while the midden contained hundreds of thousands of animals, research showed they were, in contrast, locally sourced. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025 Young spoke with Variety about the unarticulated rivalry that the Lost Boys have with one another, playing an adult with the mind of a child and working with a real-life sheep while staging his character’s grisly demise. Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 Wheat, cattle and sheep lined the horizon. Reid Rasner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 While Tootles attempts to feed the alien flies, the alien sheep head-butts the glass. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sheep

noun
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

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