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Synonyms

herder

1 American  
[hur-der] / ˈhɜr dər /

noun

  1. a person in charge of a herd, especially of cattle or sheep.

Herder 2 American  
[her-duhr] / ˈhɛr dər /

noun

  1. Johann Gottfried von 1744–1803, German philosopher and poet.

Herder 1 British  
/ ˈhɛrdər /

noun

  1. Johann Gottfried von (joˈhan ˈɡɔtfriːt fɔn). 1744–1803, German philosopher, critic, and poet, the leading figure in the Sturm und Drang movement in German literature. His chief work is Outlines of a Philosophy of the History of Man (1784–91)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
herder 2 British  
/ ˈhɜːdə /

noun

  1. Brit equivalent: herdsman.  a person who cares for or drives herds of cattle or flocks of sheep, esp on an open range

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of herder

First recorded in 1625–35; herd 2 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Namnyak, a Maasai herder in north Tanzania, fears a carbon credit scheme linked to Volkswagen -- dismissed by NGOs as "greenwashing" -- could destroy her community's way of life.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a former camel herder who commands the rebels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

They are opting for a disruptive herder who, however flawed, at least claims the old, depleted grazing rules no longer apply.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025

Among Season 2’s changes, the role of Pete Plenty Clouds has been recast following the death of Cole Brings Plenty, who played a sheep herder in the first season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025

“What if she doesn’t tell these people her real name? She’ll tell them she’s the daughter of a simple farmer or goat herder, or something else.”

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.