Herd
/hɜrd/
nounverbA2
Definition
A herd is a number of animals, usually of the same kind, that stay close together. People often use the word for animals like cows, sheep, or elephants. When used as a verb, to herd means to bring or guide animals or people into a group or to move them together.
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See It in Action
A group of animals living or moving together
- •The herd of elephants walked slowly through the forest.
- •Farmers watch their herd of cattle every day.
- •A herd of deer crossed the road near the village.
To guide or move a group of animals or people together
- •The dog herded the sheep into the pen.
- •They herded the tourists through the museum quickly.
- •The cowboy herded the cattle across the field.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'herd' like 'group,' but for animals that naturally stay close and move together
- ✓Picture a large group of cows walking slowly across a green field, all together as one unit
- ✓It's the feeling when you see many birds flying in a group, safe and connected
- ✓Sounds like 'heard' → imagine you 'heard' many animals together making noise as a group
- ✓Think of a shepherd guiding sheep—he herds them to keep them safe and in one place
- ✓NOT like 'crowd' (people gathered randomly), a 'herd' is more organized and natural for animals
- ✓NOT like 'pack' (used for wild animals like wolves), 'herd' is for animals that live in groups but are often calm
- ✓As a verb, herding is like gently moving a group, not pushing or pulling each animal separately
Try Other Words
- •Flock: a group of birds or sheep (Use when talking about birds or sheep instead of other animals)
- •Pack: a group of wild animals like wolves or dogs (Use when animals are wild and hunt together)
- •Crowd: a large number of people gathered closely (Use for people, not animals)
- •Drive: to move animals by pushing or guiding them (Use when emphasizing moving animals over a distance)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: The word 'herd' is a simple root word without prefixes or suffixes
- •Etymology: Comes from Old English 'heord,' meaning a group of animals kept together
- •Historical development: Used for a long time to describe groups of animals, especially those kept by people like cattle and sheep
- •Modern usage: Still used today for groups of animals and the action of guiding them, and sometimes for people moving together in a similar way
Reflect & Connect
•How do animals in a herd help each other stay safe or find food?
•Can the word 'herd' be used for people? When might that be positive or negative?
Fill in the blanks
1.The farmer watched his herd ___ quietly in the field during the afternoon.
2.When the sheep started to run, the dog quickly herded them ___ to safety.
3.Unlike a crowd, a herd usually moves in the same ___ and stays close together.
4.The cowboy herded the cattle ___ the open plains to reach the market.
5.A herd of animals often makes noise because they feel ___ or alert.
6.The zookeeper had to herd the animals ___ their new enclosure carefully.
7.People sometimes say "herd mentality" to describe how individuals ___ follow a group without thinking.