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

1. She is a bellwether of fashion.
2. High-tech bellwethers led the decline in the stock market.
3. 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

Antonyms: follower, imitator

Related Words: foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor; groundbreaker, innovator, pioneer

Near Antonyms: Johnny-come-lately, me-tooer

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with BELLWETHER

aweather, buff leather, fair-weather, glove leather, kid leather, pinfeather, shoe-leather, together, untether, white feather