{"word":"bellwether","date":"2026-09-27","partOfSpeech":"noun","pronunciation":"BEL-WEH-ther","definition":"an indicator of trends","example":"Event organizers say the concert series is a bellwether , demonstrating that good shows can bring visitors to the town.","etymology":"The word bellwether comes from Old English \"bell\" and \"wether\", a wether being a castrated male sheep, and originally referred to a sheep that wore a bell around its neck to lead a flock. The term's figurative use, as an indicator of trends, emerged in the 16th century.","source":"merriam-webster","sourceUrl":"https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/bellwether-2026-09-27","fetchedAt":"2026-09-27T18:51:37.724Z","cached":false}