pendant

noun

pen·dant | \ ˈpen-dənt

; senses 3 & 4 are also ˈpe-nənt

, sense 5 is also päⁿ-ˈdäⁿ

variants: or less commonly pendent

Definition of pendant

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

5a : 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.

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about pendant

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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

Nearby walls are done in teak, while natural-fiber rope pendants were sourced from Etsy and hang over a window seat. — Jennifer Blaise Kramer, House Beautiful, "This Home Is the Ultimate Island Getaway, No Matter Your Age," 28 June 2019 On the deck, a curvy daybed, synthetic wicker pendant light, and funky geometric wire chairs conjure the bohemian quality Burns loves. — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Millennials decorate their Newport home with a touch of beachy glam," 20 June 2019 At a Thursday night dinner celebration in a former library, octopus carpaccio was served in light pink swirl bowls, and the ceiling was hung with a variety of lights, the Bonbon glowing next to George Nelson’s Saucer Bubble and Ball Bubble pendants. — Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, "Mette Hay’s Guide to a Design-Filled Weekend in Copenhagen," 18 June 2019 The defleshed and painted human skulls, meant to be worn around the neck as pendants, were buried with a warrior over a thousand years ago at Pacbitun, a Maya city. — Gabriel D. Wrobel, The Conversation, "Trophies made from human skulls hint at regional conflicts around the time of Maya civilization’s mysterious collapse," 10 June 2019 Other pieces are inspired by Queen Victoria’s jewelry, such as a chandelier modeled after one of her pendants and headboards embroidered with orange blossoms. — Olivia Martin, Town & Country, "Claridge's Newest Hotel Suite Was Inspired by France's Last Empress," 5 June 2019 While the huge glass chandelier in the entry is obviously the showstopper, even the subtle pendant lights in the kitchen and sleek gold fixtures in the guest bedroom add a pop. — Nikhita Mahtani, House Beautiful, "You've Got to See How This Glamorous 10,000-Square-Foot Home Came Together," 26 Apr. 2019 Offering stud earrings and a necklace with a pendant in sterling silver, 14 karat gold, or brass, prices range from $40 to $380. — Sara Radin, Teen Vogue, "Ada Chen Is the Asian Artist Turning Stereotypes About Chinese Americans Into Jewelry," 27 May 2019 Ratajkowski accessorized with a simple circular gold pendant, a black brimmed hat with French netting veil over her face and a pug, of course. — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Emily Ratajkowski Married Her Boyfriend of a Few Weeks at City Hall Wearing Zara Pantsuit," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pendant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.