A young sheep in its first year of life is called a lamb.
“Lamb” is the standard term for a juvenile sheep, especially during its first year. The word is also used for meat from a young sheep, while “mutton” traditionally refers to meat from an older sheep. In everyday language, however, lamb can refer both to the animal and to the food.
Sheep are domesticated ruminants in the genus Ovis. They are raised worldwide for meat, wool, milk, and skins. A female sheep is an ewe, an adult male is a ram, and a castrated male is a wether. These terms are distinct from “lamb,” which describes age rather than sex.
Lambs are born after a gestation period of about five months. They commonly begin standing and nursing soon after birth, though the exact timing varies. Newborn lambs may be called “newborn lambs” or “neonatal lambs” in agricultural and veterinary contexts.