# flock

/ˈfɫɑk/ (US) · /flˈɒk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flock
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. group of birds

noun · CEFR B1

a group of birds that live, feed, or travel together.

For teachers: a collective group of birds, especially those gathered for migration or feeding.

- A large flock of geese flew over the lake in a V-shape.
- Ornithologists observed a massive flock of starlings performing complex aerial maneuvers over the marshlands at dusk.

### 2. group of sheep or goats

noun · CEFR B1

a group of sheep or goats kept together.

For teachers: a group of small livestock, typically sheep or goats, kept under the care of a person or dog.

- The farmer led his flock of sheep to the green grass on the hill.
- The shepherd spent the summer months moving his flock across the high mountain pastures to ensure they had sufficient grazing material.

### 3. religious congregation

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the people who belong to a particular church or follow a religious leader.

For teachers: a congregation of faithful believers under the spiritual guidance of a pastor or priest.

- The priest spoke warmly to his flock during the Sunday morning service.
- The bishop traveled throughout the rural diocese to offer support and guidance to his growing flock of parishioners.

### 4. to gather in large numbers

verb · CEFR B2

to go to a place in large numbers because something interesting is happening there.

For teachers: to congregate or move in great numbers toward a specific location or event.

- Thousands of fans flock to the city every year for the music festival.
- Tourists flock to the coastal village every summer, drawn by the pristine beaches and the reputation of the local seafood restaurants.

Usage: often used with the preposition 'to'

### 5. textile fibers

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

small pieces of wool or cotton used to stuff pillows or decorate wallpaper.

For teachers: short fibers of wool, cotton, or rayon used for stuffing upholstery or creating a velvet-like texture on surfaces.

- The old chair was filled with cheap wool flock that had become lumpy.
- The restoration expert chose a traditional flock wallpaper to match the original nineteenth-century interior design of the drawing room.

## Examples

- A large flock of birds flew over the field.
- The shepherd used his dog to guide the flock of sheep through the narrow gate into the valley.
- As the sun began to set, a massive flock of starlings performed a complex aerial dance before settling in the reeds for the night.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.