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
Gone is the usual array of synthetic materials, replaced with more natural alternatives like a flax-composite shell, corn furniture and sheep's wool upholstery.
—
New Atlas, 12 July 2025
Some of the fields clearly show the benefit of the sheep’s rotational grazing and fertilizing.
—Helen Whybrow
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
The man had repeatedly and loudly called the protesters sheep.
—Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Over 300 sheep caused a traffic jam after escaping from their pens in Santa Barbara, California.
California Highway Patrol helped round up the animals and return them to safety
The loose sheep follow other viral animal escapes, including a zebra in Tennessee and a dog in Miami.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheep
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.
New Atlas, 12 July 2025
Some of the fields clearly show the benefit of the sheep’s rotational grazing and fertilizing.
—Helen Whybrow
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
The man had repeatedly and loudly called the protesters sheep.
—Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Over 300 sheep caused a traffic jam after escaping from their pens in Santa Barbara, California.
California Highway Patrol helped round up the animals and return them to safety
The loose sheep follow other viral animal escapes, including a zebra in Tennessee and a dog in Miami.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheep
Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share