pendant

noun

pen·​dant ˈpen-dənt How to pronounce pendant (audio)
senses 3 & 4 are also
ˈpe-nənt How to pronounce pendant (audio)
sense 5 is also
päⁿ-ˈdäⁿ How to pronounce pendant (audio)
variants or less commonly pendent
1
: something suspended: such as
a
: an ornament (as on a necklace) allowed to hang free
A turquoise pendant hung on her necklace.
b
: an electrical fixture suspended from the ceiling
hung an incandescent light pendant from the ceiling over the reading area
2
: a hanging ornament of roofs or ceilings much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture
3
: a length of line usually used as a connector on a boat or ship
especially : a short rope hanging from a spar and having at its free end a block or spliced thimble (see thimble sense 2a)
4
chiefly British : pennant sense 1a
5
a
: companion piece
The portrait of his father is a pendant to the one of his mother.
b
: something secondary or supplementary
The illustration is an apt pendant to the poem.

Did you know?

Most pendants are purely decorative. But a pendant may also hold a picture or a lock of hair of a lover or a child. And, perhaps because they hang protectively in front of the body and near the heart, pendants have often had symbolic and magical purposes. Thus, a pendant may be a charm or amulet, or its gems or metals may be felt to have health-giving properties. In architecture, a pendant is an ornament that hangs down from a structure, but unlike a necklace pendant it's usually solid and inflexible.

Examples of pendant in a Sentence

Navajo necklaces with pendants finely crafted in genuine sky-blue turquoise. a pendant that once flew on Nelson's flagship
Recent Examples on the Web Amali Jewelry’s 18K gold oval aquamarine pendant with hand made bezel. Beth Bernstein, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 As ever, her style is spare: hair pulled back, a barely perceptible chain at her neck (its pendant tucked under her dress collar) and a dark navy dress stopping just short of black, the color of mourning. Rhonda Garelick, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The chic look was paired with Fred Leighton onyx and diamond pendant platinum earrings, a platinum twin old European cut diamond ring and a platinum oval rose cut diamond ring. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024 Find it on Amazon The Cloud Pendant Light to Illuminate Your Home This Cloud pendant light is a great way to create a point of interest in your room. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 As well as a series of opening door pendants, the collection features statement rings, drop earrings, stacking archway rings scattered with gems and keyhole pendants designed to encourage the wearer to unlock their hearts’ desires. Kate Matthams, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Kimmel also asked Hardman about the giant diamond necklace around his neck, his signature chain with a huge pendant shaped like a jet. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2024 This unique lotus pendant light adds some texture and trend to the space, while still being a bit understated. Taylor Gumm, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2024 The doll also comes with a chain necklace with the seashell pendant that is at the center of the classic movie. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pendant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pendaunt, from Anglo-French pendant, from present participle of pendre to hang, from Vulgar Latin *pendere, from Latin pendēre; akin to Latin pendere to weigh, estimate, pay, pondus weight

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pendant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pendant

Cite this Entry

“Pendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendant. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pendant

noun
pen·​dant
variants also pendent
: something that hangs down especially as an ornament

More from Merriam-Webster on pendant

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