shepard
n. countablen. a person whose job is to take care of sheep. You use this word for someone who watches over the animals and keeps them safe.
n. a person who tends, herds, and guards sheep. Often used metaphorically to describe a leader who guides a group of people.
Usage
Commonly used as a metaphor for spiritual or political leaders; the spelling 'shepherd' is standard, while 'shepard' is a frequent misspelling or surname.
Pitfall
the shepardthe shepherdLearners often misspell the word as 'shepard' because of the pronunciation, but it is spelled with 'herd' at the end.
Last updated May 6, 2026