bellwether

UK: /ˈbɛlwɛðə^r/ US: /ˈbɛlˌwɛðɚ/ ,(bel′weᵺ′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bell•weth•er /ˈbɛlˌwɛðɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a person or thing that leads or indicates a trend:
   California is frequently a bellwether of political change in the country.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bell•weth•er  (bel′weᵺ′ər), n. 

1. Animal Husbandry 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.
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.

• 1400–50; late Middle English; see bell¹, wether

Synonyms

• 2. . leader, pacesetter, frontrunner, trailblazer.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bellwether / ˈbɛlˌwɛðə/ noun

1. a sheep that leads the herd, often bearing a bell
2. a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly