bellwether

[bel-weth-er]

noun

1. a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell.

2. a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry.

   Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.

   Synonyms: trailblazer, front runner, pacesetter, leader

3. a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.

4. a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like; ringleader.

bellwether

/ ˈbɛlˌwɛðə /

noun

1. a sheep that leads the herd, often bearing a bell

2. a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly

Word History and Origins

Origin of bellwether¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; bell ¹, wether

Example Sentences

Worries about the AI trade that buffeted markets recently have weighed particularly heavily on Nvidia, a bellwether of investors’ enthusiasm for big tech.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Despite strong earnings and guidance from artificial-intelligence bellwether Nvidia, equities couldn’t sustain a rally, as lingering doubts about the AI trade’s staying power brought out waves of sellers.

Read more on Barron's

Despite strong earnings and guidance from artificial-intelligence bellwether Nvidia, equities couldn’t sustain a rally, as lingering doubts about the AI trade’s staying power brought out waves of sellers.

Read more on Barron's

The results from the AI bellwether sparked a furious rally from Tokyo to New York early Thursday before indexes reversed course and tumbled.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A blockbuster earnings report from chip bellwether Nvidia on Wednesday seemed to settle nerves that vast investments in the artificial intelligence sector may have been overdone.

Read more on Barron's