1 B1 neutral
To drive animals together into a group or enclosure.
"The shepherds herded the flock together before the storm reached the valley."
inseparable
herd together
B2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To gather or drive people, animals, or things into a single group.
In plain English
To push or move lots of people or animals together into one place.
What does "herd together" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To gather or push people together into a group, often in an impersonal or controlling way.
"Security staff herded the spectators together into a holding area while police cleared the street."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To drive a herd of animals so they group together.
Actually means
To push or move lots of people or animals together into one place.
Usage tip
Can be used literally (driving livestock) or figuratively (moving people, often suggesting they are being treated impersonally). The figurative sense often carries a disapproving or critical tone.
Words that pair with "herd together"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cattle sheep passengers refugees prisoners animals
How to conjugate "herd together"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
herd together
I/you/we/they
3rd person
herds together
he/she/it
Past simple
herded together
yesterday
Past participle
herded together
have + pp
-ing form
herding together
continuous
Hear "herd together" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "herd together" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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