bellwether
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.bell·weth·er
noun \ˈbel-ˈwe-thər, -ˌwe-\Definition of BELLWETHER
: one that takes the lead or initiative : leader; also : an indicator of trends
See 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
- Synonyms
- leader, pacemaker, pacer, pacesetter, trendsetter
Rhymes with BELLWETHER
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