Definition of BELLWETHER

bellwether

Plural: bellwethers

Noun

  • someone who assumes leadership of a movement or activity
  • sheep that leads the herd often wearing a bell
  • The leading sheep of a flock, having a bell hung round its neck.
  • Anything that indicates future trends.
  • A stock or bond that is widely believed to be an indicator of the overall market's condition.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English belwether, belleweder, equivalent to bell + wether (“castrated ram”).

Synonyms

gauge, indicator, sign

Scrabble Score: 18

bellwether: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
bellwether: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
bellwether: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

bellwether: valid Words With Friends Word