What Is a Group of Cows Called? Not Always a Herd

What are you mooing at? Clara Bastian / Shutterstock

If you’ve ever asked, "What is a group of cows called," you’re not alone. It’s a common question that dips into farming, linguistics, and a bit of trivia.

The most widely accepted collective noun for cows is "herd," but that can change with context.

The Standard Term: Herd

A group of cows is typically called a "herd," especially when referring to cattle on farms, in pastures or out to market. This collective name applies to both dairy and beef cattle, regardless of breed.

A herd typically consists of cows and calves and may contain bulls, depending on the function of the group.

The word "herd" refers to any large group of hoofed animals, and it’s also used for sheep, goats, and deer. In agricultural contexts, it helps farmers, drovers and ranchers distinguish groups of animals in daily use and management.

4 Other Collective Nouns for Cows

While "herd" is the most common term, it’s not the only one. English, especially older and regional dialects, offers up a few alternatives:

A "drove" of cattle refers to animals being moved together, usually to a different location or market.
A "team" is the term when a yoke connects cows pulling loads or working together.
The term "fold" appears in Scottish usage, particularly for Highland cattle kept in open shelters.
"Kine" is an old-fashioned plural for cows, more often found in historical texts than modern speech.

Why These Terms Exist

The variety of terms for a group of cows reflects their many roles in human society. Cows provide milk, meat, leather, and labor. The language we use to describe them evolved alongside the development of animal husbandry and varies by region, function, and even the specific type of cattle.

For example, a dairy farmer might refer to his herd as "the milking group," while a rancher focused on beef might talk about his "cattle operation."

In both cases, the idea of grouping is the same, but the vocabulary can shift depending on context.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.