Meanings
plural Bellheads
- slangA supporter of traditional centralized telecommunications networks, contrasted with nethead (a supporter of the Internet and its flexibility and technical underpinnings).
But Bellhead analysts failed to recognize the tremendous value of these assets. Consequently, they were dumped into MediaOne when it split from US West.
2001, Cable vision, volume 251 more example
Prior to the onset of technological innovations and new pro-competitive regulatory policies, Bellheads enjoyed the ability to manage change and to plan for the future at a leisurely pace.
2010, Rob Frieden, Winning the Silicon Sweepstakes
Origin
From Bell + -head, after the Bell telephone company.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Bellhead. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bellhead
“Bellhead.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bellhead. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Bellhead,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bellhead.
Source: Bellhead on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.