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

Keep scrolling for more

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

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 Other Greek jewelers also create their own egg pendants. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "Easter Egg Charms are the Perfect Last Minute Easter Gift," 18 Apr. 2019 There’s coral from Kauai’s Anini Beach, vintage cameos found in Italy, and turquoise pendants found in Santa Fe by the brains behind the bohemian label Chan Luu, which was founded by her aunt. — Vogue, "An L.A. Jewelry Designer Decodes Her Easygoing Executive Style," 9 Apr. 2019 Though the multi-sized paper pendant lights exude a modern, creative, and easy, undone elegance, the space is also classic and traditional enough for formal events. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "The Under-$10 Trend That Looks Expensive," 4 Apr. 2019 In this living room area by Commune Design, the pendant is delightfully oversized, giving the otherwise formal, sophisticated, and handsome living room a more lighthearted and casual touch. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "The Under-$10 Trend That Looks Expensive," 4 Apr. 2019 Modern yet classic, glitzy yet unpretentious, the pendant light is the focal point of Nuriev's NYC dining room. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "You Won't Believe What This Chic Pendant Light Is Made Out Of," 18 Apr. 2019 The World’s Not Ready for Wheelie Earrings… Balenciaga’s wheel earrings generated a lot of buzz after the brand’s Fall 2018 show, but still couldn’t beat out Giambattista Valli’s layered pendant necklaces. — Vogue, "The Results Are In, and Minimalist Jewelry Is Where It’s At," 21 Dec. 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.