bellwether
bell·weth·er
noun \ˈbel-ˈwe-thər, -ˌwe-\Definition of BELLWETHER
: one that takes the lead or initiative : leader; also : an indicator of trends
Examples of BELLWETHER
- She is a bellwether of fashion.
- High-tech bellwethers led the decline in the stock market.
- a county that is a bellwether in national elections
Origin of BELLWETHER
Middle English, leading sheep of a flock, leader, from belle bell + wether; from the practice of belling the leader of a flock
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to BELLWETHER
Related Words: foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor; groundbreaker, innovator, pioneer
Near Antonyms: Johnny-come-lately, me-tooer
Rhymes with BELLWETHER
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