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bell cow

American  

noun

  1. a cow, especially the lead cow of a herd, having a bell attached to a collar around its neck so that the herd can be located easily.


Etymology

Origin of bell cow

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Without their bell cow, Minnesota saw three running backs and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis get between 10 and 15 carries apiece.

From Washington Times • Sep. 30, 2023

Visitors to “the new aristocratic suburb” dubbed Palm Place would have found one home, an architectural bell cow, standing in an empty field.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2022

Coach Ryan Day may have found a bell cow after splitting carries among Henderson and a couple others in the first two games.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2021

Owner Mike Brown called him the team’s "bell cow."

From Fox News • Apr. 24, 2021

The bell cow threw up her head and bellowed till the cow house echoed.

From Lisbeth Longfrock by Poulsson, Laura E. (Laura Elizabeth)

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