What is the term for a group of sheep?

The story behind the answer

A group of sheep is called a flock. The word is the standard collective noun used in everyday English and in livestock farming, whether the animals are grazing together or being managed by a shepherd.

Sheep are strongly social and naturally tend to remain close to one another. This flocking behavior helps provide safety from predators and makes the animals easier to move and manage. A flock can include ewes, rams, wethers, and lambs, although farmers may separate animals by age, sex, breed, or production purpose.

“Flock” is sometimes confused with “herd,” because both words can describe groups of domesticated animals. “Herd” is more commonly associated with cattle, horses, or elephants, while “flock” is especially associated with sheep and many birds. “Gaggle” is traditionally used for geese, and “pack” usually describes animals such as dogs or wolves.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: