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
In the first, a mayor placed them in the park to keep the grass trimmed (alongside some sheep, now gone).
—
Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
But that moment of enjoyment is only a brief, illusory respite from Ahmet’s laborious responsibilities herding sheep and caring for his kid brother Naim (Agush Agushev), the picture of innocence and adorableness, who hasn’t spoken since their mother died.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
Mars clouds have wispy features, more like a gauzy veil than a fluffy sheep.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
The wild cats have come into conflict with sheep farmers, or gauchos, who sometimes shoot the pumas to protect their sheep.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sheep 
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Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
But that moment of enjoyment is only a brief, illusory respite from Ahmet’s laborious responsibilities herding sheep and caring for his kid brother Naim (Agush Agushev), the picture of innocence and adorableness, who hasn’t spoken since their mother died.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
Mars clouds have wispy features, more like a gauzy veil than a fluffy sheep.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
The wild cats have come into conflict with sheep farmers, or gauchos, who sometimes shoot the pumas to protect their sheep.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sheep
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Cite this Entry
“Sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheep. Accessed 2 Feb. 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
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