WorldAugust 17, 2026

bellwether

BELL-weh-ther

Definition

An indicator or predictor of future trends; a leading case used to test the legal strength of a larger group of similar lawsuits.

Etymology

Originating from Middle English, the term refers to a lead sheep (a wether) that had a bell attached to its neck to lead the rest of the flock, eventually evolving to denote any indicator of a trend.

In the news

The article uses 'bellwether' to describe an earlier, smaller trial that served as a test case for thousands of other similar lawsuits against Meta, helping both sides assess their legal arguments.

States take Meta to trial in California in the biggest fight yet over social media harms to children

Read the full article ↗

ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

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