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

The pendant more than tripled the previous world auction record for a pearl, which was held by a necklace that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Marie Antoinette's Pearl Pendant Sells for a Record-Breaking $36 Million at Auction," 15 Nov. 2018 Lighting makes a huge difference, too: Recessed lights cost about $150 a piece to install, and over-the-island pendants start around $150. — Brett Martin, House Beautiful, "What A Kitchen Renovation Actually Costs," 13 July 2018 The links represent a single thistle and four interlinked sprigs of rue, and a pendant portraying St. Andrew carrying the cross of his martyrdom hangs down the center, according to the royal family. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince William's Super Ornate Outfit in Scotland Is Full of Royal Symbolism," 6 July 2018 Her medicine wheel pendant, made from four colors of Swarovski crystals, represents her culture’s four directions teachings, or the call to live a complete and balanced life. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "How 6 Indigenous Designers Are Using Fashion to Reclaim Their Culture," 30 May 2018 The far wall is textured with wood-effect wallpaper and industrial metal pendants highlight the generous length of the central wooden table. — Kelsey Kloss, ELLE Decor, "House Tour: Blogger Will Taylor Takes Us Inside Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Hollywood Chic Home," 29 Apr. 2016 Ariel Gordon’s Imperial Disc Pendant necklace gives mom a personalized pendant to represent her loved ones. — Melissa Magsaysay, latimes.com, "Mother's Day gift guide: Show mom how much you care by giving her one of these gifts," 3 May 2018 In the kids’ playroom, a fun geometric pendant light by Ladies & Gentleman Studio hangs overhead. — Asad Syrkett, Curbed, "Year in Curbed: The best of House Calls," 26 Dec. 2018 Alex included the perfect amount of brass pendant lights and alabaster to create a luxe, gleaming, entirely new feel. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "This Bungalow Renovation Will Make You Want a Navy Blue Kitchen," 12 Oct. 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.