Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

bell-cow

Noun
/ˈbɛlˌkaʊ/
Definition
A bell-cow is a term used to describe the most important or dominant member of a group, often the one that others look to or follow.
Examples
  • The team’s star player is the bell-cow of our offense, always leading by example.
  • In the project, she’s the bell-cow, ensuring that everyone stays focused and on track.
Meaning
The word is derived from the practice of attaching a bell to one cow in a herd, allowing her to lead and guide the others based on her location.
Synonyms
  • Leader
  • Trailblazer
  • Pathfinder