pendulum

noun

pen·​du·​lum ˈpen-jə-ləm 

ˈpen-dyə-, 

-də-

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 (such as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites

doesn't take much to swing the pendulum of opinion the other way

Examples of pendulum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After surviving a six-game losing streak last month, the pendulum is now swinging in the other direction. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026

Today, however, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. —Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026

The Pitt is succeeding, and the pendulum hasn’t swung the other way. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026

This is the constant pendulum swing. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, noun derivative from neuter of Latin pendulus pendulous

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pendulum

• Foucault pendulum

Kids Definition

pendulum

noun

pen·​du·​lum ˈpen-jə-ləm 

: a body hung from a fixed point so as to swing freely back and forth under the action of gravity

Etymology

from scientific Latin pendulum "something suspended so as to swing freely," from Latin pendulus "suspended," from pendēre "to hang" — related to depend, perpendicular