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
Meanwhile, ancient castles rise from misty riverbanks—like Trim and Kilkenny—as woolly sheep graze across emerald pastures.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Should her daughter be a sheep or a goat, in a society that punished her mother’s defiance?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025
After falling into an animal trap, she is rescued by Aurora, a sheep shearer, who takes her to her ranch.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
Little Farm This historic farm has lots of animals, including cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, sheep, rabbits and goats, and the kids can sign up for feeding programs.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 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.
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Should her daughter be a sheep or a goat, in a society that punished her mother’s defiance?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025
After falling into an animal trap, she is rescued by Aurora, a sheep shearer, who takes her to her ranch.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025
Little Farm This historic farm has lots of animals, including cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, sheep, rabbits and goats, and the kids can sign up for feeding programs.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 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