pendulum

noun

pen·​du·​lum ˈpen-jə-ləm 

ˈpen-dyə-,

-də-

1

: a body suspended from a fixed point so as to swing freely to and fro under the action of gravity and commonly used to regulate movements (as of clockwork)

2

: something (such as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites

doesn't take much to swing the pendulum of opinion the other way

Examples of pendulum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These day, the pendulum’s swung back again: six pack or not, dressing well isn’t limited to the daytime. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 July 2025

However, the pendulum eventually swung back, giving rise to the popularization of the bleached brow in the years since, which saw even Kendall Jenner try the trend for herself at the 2022 Met Gala. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 July 2025

McIntosh ultimately predicts that the pendulum has swung back and that audiences may have more of an attention span for long-form content again. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The proverbial pendulum has swung from good to bad and back again at an alarmingly frequent pace. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, neuter of pendulus

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pendulum

• Foucault pendulum

Kids Definition

pendulum

noun

pen·​du·​lum ˈpen-jə-ləm 

: a body hung from a fixed point so as to swing freely back and forth under the action of gravity

Etymology

from scientific Latin pendulum "something suspended so as to swing freely," from Latin pendulus "suspended," from pendēre "to hang" — related to depend, perpendicular