bellwether

American  

[bel-weth-er] / ˈbɛlˌwɛð ər /

noun

bellwethers plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bellwethers
  plural

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

See Examples For:

bellwether bellwethers

The pair points to “Radio” as the album’s bellwether.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

Oscar Selby, who researches troubled High Streets at the Centre for Cities think tank, sees them as a "bellwether" for the wider economy.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

The photo remains a bellwether even today, revealing more about the yearnings and prejudices of its viewers than about the subject herself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

If healthcare utilization trends continue to moderate, UnitedHealth—which serves as a bellwether for the industry—should lead a broader rally in shares of managed-care organizations, BofA contended.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

One bellwether will carry a whole flock after it, but I fear not that any will want to hold back.

From By Right of Conquest Or, With Cortez in Mexico by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

Airline, trucking and railroad stocks are often considered market bellwethers, given the companies’ vital role in moving goods and raw materials that power the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

One of the most critical retail bellwethers, restaurants, saw a slight decline in sales in December.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 10, 2026

The Los Angeles trial is among a handful of bellwethers meant to clarify the uncharted legal terrain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 27, 2026

Magnificent Seven members Apple, Microsoft, Meta and Tesla are due this week, with other bellwethers including Texas Instruments, Boeing and Mastercard providing an idea about the state of the economy.

From Barron's ● Jan. 27, 2026

The human animal being apt to run after bellwethers, it may be looked upon as natural that this strange conduct of a respectable matron was speedily imitated by the girls.

From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. II (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis