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

In the history of technology, the pendulum regularly swings between centralization and decentralization. —Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The mood of the scene works like a pendulum as the women go from sisterly ribbing to poking each other’s deepest inner wounds and back again. —Megan Vick, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025

Like every trend in history that has gone on for too long, the pendulum eventually swings the other way. —Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025

The males swing their large nests back and forth like a pendulum to attract mates. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 30 July 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