I. shep ‧ herd 1 /ˈʃepəd $ -ərd/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: sceaphyrde , from sceap 'sheep' + hyrde 'herdsman' ]
someone whose job is to take care of sheep
II. shepherd 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive always + adverb/preposition]
to lead or guide a group of people somewhere, making sure that they go where you want them to go
shepherd somebody into/out of/towards etc something
The tour guides shepherded the rest of the group onto the bus.
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THESAURUS
▪ lead to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently:
Rachel led Jo into the kitchen.
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She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg.
▪ take to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc:
I took her to see a film.
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Matt’s taking me in his car.
▪ guide to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way:
Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town.
▪ show to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there:
A waitress showed us to our table.
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We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre.
▪ point to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign:
The sign back there pointed this way.
▪ escort to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way:
He was escorted from the court by police.
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The President’s car will be escorted by a military convoy.
▪ usher to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job:
His housekeeper ushered us into the living room.
▪ shepherd to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people:
The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral.
▪ direct formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere:
He directed us to a cafe a few blocks away.
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Can you direct me to the station?