Herd: meaning, definitions and examples

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herd

[həːd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

animal grouping

A herd is a large group of animals, especially hoofed mammals, that live, feed, or migrate together. Herds can consist of various animals such as cows, sheep, buffalo, or elephants.

Synonyms

flock, group, pack.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
herd	Used to describe a large group of animals, especially hoofed mammals like cows, elephants, or deer. Often used in farming or wildlife contexts. The farmer moved his herd of cattle to a new pasture A herd of elephants crossed the river
flock	Commonly refers to a group of birds or sheep. Often used when discussing birds in flight or sheep in a field. A flock of geese flew over the lake The shepherd guided his flock of sheep up the hill
pack	Used to describe a group of certain wild animals, such as wolves or dogs. Often implies a close-knit social structure. A pack of wolves was spotted in the forest Stray dogs sometimes form packs in urban areas
group	A general term for any collection of people, animals, or things. Used in a broad range of scenarios, both formal and informal. A group of students gathered in the library She joined a hiking group on weekends

Examples of usage

The herd of cattle grazed peacefully in the meadow.
A herd of wildebeests migrated across the savanna in search of water.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to gather or move as a group

To herd means to gather, move, or drive animals or people in a particular direction or towards a specific destination. It often involves the act of guiding a group of individuals together.

Synonyms

drive, gather, round up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
herd	Also refers to moving or controlling a group of animals. It can be used both as a noun and a verb. He specializes in herding goats on the mountain slopes
gather	Refers to the act of collecting or bringing animals together into one place. Often used in a more general or casual sense. It's time to gather the chickens before it gets dark
drive	Typically describes the action of leading or guiding animals, especially cattle, to a particular place over a distance. The cowboys had to drive the cattle across the plains
round up	Implies actively gathering animals, usually those that have strayed or are scattered. It often has a connotation of effort or difficulty. The ranchers spent the morning rounding up the stray horses

Examples of usage

The sheepdog herded the sheep into the pen.
The tour guide herded the tourists towards the museum.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word traces back to Old English 'herd,' meaning 'to tend' or 'to guard,' reflecting the care given to animals.
Related words include 'herdsman,' which describes a person in charge of a group of animals.

Animal Behavior

Many species, such as elephants and wolves, show stronger survival when in herds due to protection from predators.
Herd dynamics include social structures, where often a dominant individual leads and influences group movements.

Cultural Significance

In various cultures, herding animals symbolizes community, cooperation, and togetherness.
Folk tales often depict herders as wise figures who guide and protect their animals, highlighting the bond between humans and livestock.

Agricultural Practices

Modern farming often utilizes herding dogs to manage livestock, emphasizing teamwork between animals and humans.
Herding practices vary by region, with different techniques developed for managing local animal species.

Psychology

The concept of herding can be applied to human behavior, where people mimic the actions or beliefs of a larger group, often seen in trends.
Herd behavior in financial markets refers to investors following the majority, leading to bubbles or crashes.

Translations

Translations of the word "herd" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rebanho

🇮🇳 झुंड (jhund)

🇩🇪 Herde

🇮🇩 kawanan

🇺🇦 стадо

🇵🇱 stado

🇯🇵 群れ (むれ, mure)

🇫🇷 troupeau

🇪🇸 rebaño

🇹🇷 sürü

🇰🇷 떼 (tte)

🇸🇦 قطيع (qaṭīʿ)

🇨🇿 stádo

🇸🇰 stádo

🇨🇳 群 (qún)

🇸🇮 čreda

🇮🇸 hjörð

🇰🇿 табын (tabyn)

🇬🇪 ფარა (phara)

🇦🇿 sürü

🇲🇽 rebaño

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,039 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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6036 embraced
6037 uniformity
6038 confession
6039 herd
6040 unusually
6041 ruins
6042 honourable
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