# bellwether state

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bellwether-state
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A state of the United States that historically votes for the winning candidate in a given election.

## Examples

- This state is a famous bellwether state in national elections.
- Our region is no longer a bellwether state after the recent population shift.
- Political analysts watch the results in this bellwether state closely because they often predict the winner of the entire election.
- Campaign managers spend most of their advertising budget in this bellwether state to see if their message resonates with the general public.
- Even though the local economy is struggling, the bellwether state still voted for the incumbent just like the rest of the country did.
- Because the demographic composition of the region mirrors the national average, it has long served as a reliable bellwether state for presidential campaigns.

## Origin

From the compound of *bellwether* and *state*. The former term originates from the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram, or wether, who would then lead the flock. By extension, the word denotes a lead sheep, and subsequently, a state that serves as an indicator of a national trend.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.