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

Over time, the pendulum has swung increasingly toward local empowerment. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

What is certain is that the pendulum has swung back in Liverpool’s favour over the past decade. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

As the sartorial pendulum swings back from demure Bayonetta glasses, Tracee Ellis Ross and Dua Lipa have both embraced thick, face-eclipsing frames. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025

But Democrats this week have watched the political pendulum swing into their favor. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, neuter of pendulus

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