bellwether

American  

[bel-weth-er] / ˈbɛlˌwɛð ər /

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.

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bellwether British  

/ ˈbɛlˌwɛðə /

noun

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

2. a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly

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Etymology

Origin of bellwether

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

Explanation

Use the word bellwether to indicate someone or something that takes the lead in a group or movement. Literally, a bellwether is a sheep (often wearing a bell) that leads a herd. Unless you herd sheep, you probably don't see many bellwethers that say "Baaa." That's the origin of this word, but there are many other types of bellwethers who lead the way in different areas. Apple was a bellwether in technology. Rosa Parks was a bellwether in civil rights. And, during election season, those "bellwether states" are the ones where the primaries seem to predict the outcome of a party's nomination.

Example Sentences

But lofty corporate earnings and AI-driven tech enthusiasm have encouraged investors to look past the inflation risks, with bellwether US indexes trading at record highs.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

A bellwether trial for cases brought against Meta by US states is set to proceed in the same court starting in August.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Procter & Gamble, long a bellwether for the health of the U.S. consumer economy, last week reported higher quarterly sales but warned geopolitical uncertainty and political tensions are weighing on shoppers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Many investors—especially old-timers—see the transportation average as an economic bellwether, since so many goods travel by truck or rail.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

He further described his old friend as a political heretic and as the bellwether Davila, upon whom and whose writings Mr. Adams had recently been publishing some discourses.

From George Washington, Volume II by Lodge, Henry Cabot