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

Just the same, the broader arc of the season hints at reasons to fret about another wild pendulum swing under Gates. —Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025

Streamlined skin care routines After years of maximalist skin care routines, the pendulum has started to swing back to basics. —Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025

Highlights include the Sirocco Tower (the world’s tallest free-fall ride), Spitfire (a triple-launch coaster that slings you into loops), Iron Rattler (a hybrid coaster with a unique tilt feature), and Gyrospin (the world’s tallest pendulum ride). —Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

Chests are struck with pendulums. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025

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