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; bell ¹, wether

Example Sentences

“This was a decisive quarter that strengthened TSMC’s role as a bellwether for the semiconductor and AI ecosystem,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

The big banks are among the first major U.S. companies to report earnings each quarter, and traders view the results as a bellwether for the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the opening of “awards season,” it’s supposed to be a bellwether of the Oscars race, blah blah blah.

From Los Angeles Times

We’ll concern ourselves now with the nominations on the film side, as the guild’s awards are usually one of the most accurate bellwethers for the Oscars.

From Los Angeles Times

GM, the biggest automaker in the U.S. by sales and a bellwether for the U.S. industry, said Monday that sales fell 7% in the final quarter of 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal