pendulum

pen·du·lum

noun \-ləm\

Definition of PENDULUM

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 (as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites

Origin of PENDULUM

New Latin, from Latin, neuter of pendulus

First Known Use: 1660

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction