A sheepfold is an enclosurean area surrounded by a barrier or fence used for keeping sheep. It is a simple farming word, usually referring to a pen or fencedsurrounded by a barrier made of posts and wire or wood area where sheep are held together, especially at night or before herdingmoving and controlling a group of animals together.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈʃipˌfoʊld/
Easy pronunciation: SHEEP-fold (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable, with secondary stress on the second syllable.
Noun meaning an enclosure or pen for sheep.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sheepfold Meaning
a fenced place where sheep are kept
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an enclosure or pen for sheep
Example: The shepherd led the flock back to the sheepfold before dark.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- fold — A general term for an animal enclosure; works well in this sense.
- sheep pen — Direct, clear substitute for a sheep enclosure.
- sheepcote — An older or less common term with the same meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sheepfold Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- fold
- sheep pen
- sheepcote
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse sheepfold with a sheep pen in a broader figurative sense unless the context is about livestock.
- Fold can also mean a crease or a verb meaning to bend, so only use it as a synonym when the context is clearly about an animal enclosure.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sheepfold mean?
Sheepfold means an enclosure or pen where sheep are kept.
What are synonyms for sheepfold?
Good synonyms include fold, sheep pen, and sheepcote.
Is sheepfold a common word?
It is understandable and correct, but it is more common in farming or historical contexts than in everyday speech.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.