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

The other required stabilizing an inverted pendulum. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

But Iowa House Republicans on Wednesday, March 4, passed legislation that would repeal the training requirements on bias, a sign of how the pendulum has swung in the other direction as Republicans look to root out diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across Iowa. —Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026

Design trends tend to swing like a pendulum. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026

That is because the pendulum of culture has swung. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 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