Herding: meaning, definitions and examples

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herding

[ˈhɜːrdɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

animal behavior

The act of bringing a group of animals together and keeping them in a particular direction.

Synonyms

gathering, rounding up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
herding	Used mostly in the context of managing or directing animals in groups, especially livestock like sheep or cattle. It can imply some degree of control over the movement of animals. The shepherd spent the afternoon herding his sheep back to the pen Herding cattle across such a vast area is no small task
gathering	This word is used more broadly to describe bringing people or things together. It can be used in social contexts or for collecting items systematically. There will be a gathering of friends at my place tonight The children were gathering leaves for a school project
rounding up	Often used to describe the act of bringing together scattered individuals or animals, typically with some effort. It might include a connotation of collecting or corralling with a sense of urgency. The cowboys spent the whole day rounding up stray cattle The teacher went about rounding up the students for the trip back to school

Word

Description / Examples

herding

Used mostly in the context of managing or directing animals in groups, especially livestock like sheep or cattle. It can imply some degree of control over the movement of animals.

The shepherd spent the afternoon herding his sheep back to the pen
Herding cattle across such a vast area is no small task

gathering

This word is used more broadly to describe bringing people or things together. It can be used in social contexts or for collecting items systematically.

There will be a gathering of friends at my place tonight
The children were gathering leaves for a school project

rounding up

Often used to describe the act of bringing together scattered individuals or animals, typically with some effort. It might include a connotation of collecting or corralling with a sense of urgency.

The cowboys spent the whole day rounding up stray cattle
The teacher went about rounding up the students for the trip back to school

Examples of usage

Herding dogs are trained to assist in the herding of sheep.
Herding can be seen in various animal species, such as cattle and ducks.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

social behavior

The act of guiding or influencing a group of people towards a common goal or direction.

Synonyms

guiding, influencing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
herding	Used when talking about gathering and leading a group of animals, especially livestock like sheep or cows. It often implies physical effort to keep the group together and moving in the right direction. The shepherd is herding the sheep to the pasture. The dogs are great at herding cattle.
guiding	Used when you are showing or directing someone or something along a path, often implying providing advice or direction. It is often used in educational or navigational contexts. The tour guide is guiding the tourists through the museum. Teachers play a crucial role in guiding students in their studies.
influencing	Used when you are affecting or changing someone's thoughts, behaviors, or decisions indirectly. It often involves persuasion and psychological impact rather than direct control. Social media influencers have a big role in influencing public opinion. His speech was very effective in influencing the voters.

Word

Description / Examples

herding

Used when talking about gathering and leading a group of animals, especially livestock like sheep or cows. It often implies physical effort to keep the group together and moving in the right direction.

The shepherd is herding the sheep to the pasture.
The dogs are great at herding cattle.

guiding

Used when you are showing or directing someone or something along a path, often implying providing advice or direction. It is often used in educational or navigational contexts.

The tour guide is guiding the tourists through the museum.
Teachers play a crucial role in guiding students in their studies.

influencing

Used when you are affecting or changing someone's thoughts, behaviors, or decisions indirectly. It often involves persuasion and psychological impact rather than direct control.

Social media influencers have a big role in influencing public opinion.
His speech was very effective in influencing the voters.

Examples of usage

The politician's herding of supporters led to a successful campaign.
Herding behavior can be observed in workplaces during team projects.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

animal behavior

To gather and keep a group of animals together in a particular direction.

Synonyms

corralling, gathering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
herding	Primarily used when referring to the act of moving and managing livestock such as sheep, cattle, or goats. It can also be used figuratively to describe the act of guiding or managing a group of people. The shepherd was herding the sheep into the pen Organizing the volunteers was like herding cats
gathering	A general term that means bringing together people, animals, or objects into a group. It can be used in various contexts, from social events to collecting items. They are gathering all the family members for a reunion She spent the afternoon gathering wildflowers
corralling	Typically used when referring to the act of driving or gathering animals into a corral or enclosed space. It can also be used to describe the act of gathering people or things together, often with effort or difficulty. They spent the morning corralling the horses into the stable He was corralling his team for the important meeting

Word

Description / Examples

herding

Primarily used when referring to the act of moving and managing livestock such as sheep, cattle, or goats. It can also be used figuratively to describe the act of guiding or managing a group of people.

The shepherd was herding the sheep into the pen
Organizing the volunteers was like herding cats

gathering

A general term that means bringing together people, animals, or objects into a group. It can be used in various contexts, from social events to collecting items.

They are gathering all the family members for a reunion
She spent the afternoon gathering wildflowers

corralling

Typically used when referring to the act of driving or gathering animals into a corral or enclosed space. It can also be used to describe the act of gathering people or things together, often with effort or difficulty.

They spent the morning corralling the horses into the stable
He was corralling his team for the important meeting

Examples of usage

The shepherd was herding the sheep towards the pasture.
Herding cattle requires skill and patience.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'herding' comes from the Old English word 'herd', which means to keep or guard.
This word has roots in Germanic languages, reflecting a long history of livestock management.
In the past, herding was essential for nomadic tribes, helping them track and protect their animals.

Cultural Significance

Herding practices vary around the world, with unique styles such as cowboys in the US or gauchos in Argentina.
In many cultures, herding is not just a job but a way of life, forming a critical part of community identity.
Some countries celebrate herding festivals where people demonstrate traditional skills and techniques.

Animal Behavior

Certain animals, like dogs, are trained specifically for herding, showcasing strong instincts to gather and protect livestock.
Animal behavior studies indicate that social animals have evolved to form groups to ensure safety in numbers.
Observing how herding animals act in the wild can provide insights into their instincts and social structures.

Psychology

Herd mentality refers to how individuals often conform to the behaviors of a group, mirroring the dynamics seen in animal herding.
Studies show that people are influenced by their peers, leading to decisions based on shared actions rather than personal judgment.
Understanding herding behavior in humans can aid in variety of fields from marketing to social movements.

Agriculture

Herding is crucial in sustainable farming, allowing farmers to manage grazing patterns and maintain land health.
Modern technology, including drones and GPS, is increasingly used to assist in herding practices, improving efficiency.
Animal welfare advocates emphasize the importance of ethical herding techniques to ensure the well-being of livestock.

Translations

Translations of the word "herding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pastoreio

🇮🇳 चरवाहा

🇩🇪 Hüten

🇮🇩 penggembalaan

🇺🇦 випасання

🇵🇱 pasterstwo

🇯🇵 牧畜

🇫🇷 élevage

🇪🇸 pastoreo

🇹🇷 çobanlık

🇰🇷 방목

🇸🇦 الرعي

🇨🇿 pastva

🇸🇰 pastierstvo

🇨🇳 放牧

🇸🇮 paša

🇮🇸 rekstur

🇰🇿 бағу

🇬🇪 მწყემსვა

🇦🇿 çobanlıq

🇲🇽 pastoreo

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,673, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20670 kinder
20671 salience
20672 collation
20673 herding
20674 prong
20675 downed
20676 orbiting
...