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

This movement is also measured by hand using pendulums hung between decks, a method that has been used by naval architects since the 1700s. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025

After decades of minimalist, thin-rimmed glassware, the surrealist alternative makes sense within the pendulum swing toward maximalist design and the blurring of lines between art and the purely functional. —Emily Johnson, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2025

However, earlier this month, the pendulum swung the other way. —PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025

Ferrari’s announcement is more evidence that the pendulum has swung swiftly the other way. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 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