Bellwether: meaning, definitions and examples

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bellwether

 

[ หˆbษ›lหŒwษ›รฐษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

leading indicator

A bellwether is a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront of a particular trend or movement. The term is often used in political or economic contexts to indicate a predictor of future trends.

Synonyms

indicator, leader, trendsetter

Examples of usage

  • The stock market often acts as a bellwether for economic health.
  • The small town's election results are a bellwether for national sentiments.
  • Tech companies are considered bellwethers of market innovation.
Context #2 | Noun

sheep terminology

In sheep herding, a bellwether refers to a castrated male sheep that leads the flock and wears a bell around its neck to help shepherds track the sheepโ€™s movements.

Synonyms

guide, herd leader, leader sheep

Examples of usage

  • The bellwether sheep led the flock to the new grazing field.
  • Farmers often choose a strong bellwether for effective herding.
  • The bellwether rang its bell, signaling the start of the day.

Translations

Translations of the word "bellwether" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น indicador

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคฅเคชเฅเคฐเคฆเคฐเฅเคถเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Trendsetter

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penunjuk

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปั–ะดะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wskaลบnik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ…ˆ้ง†่€…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tendancier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ indicador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รถncรผ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์„ ๋„์ž

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุงุฆุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ prลฏvodce

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vodca

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ฃŽๅ‘ๆ ‡

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ voditelj

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ leiรฐandi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะตั‚ะตะบัˆั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒแƒ แƒ›แƒแƒ›แƒแƒ“แƒ’แƒ”แƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lider

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ indicador

Word origin

The term 'bellwether' has its origins in Middle English, around the 15th century, derived from the combination of the words 'bell' and 'wether'. The 'bell' refers to the bell hung around the neck of a lead sheep, or 'wether', which is a castrated male sheep. This usage reflects the sheep's role in guiding the flock, representing a figure that leads or directs. Over time, the term evolved to encompass broader contexts, particularly in socio-economic and political discussions, where it signifies any leading indicator or predictor of trends. The concept underscores how the actions or characteristics of a bellwether entity can reflect or foreshadow shifts in larger groups or markets, thus cementing its place in modern vernacular as a metaphor for leadership and guidance.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,856, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.