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

For instance, there’s more than one way to look at the motion of a pendulum. —Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026

Time has been kind to Gish, especially with the pendulum swing back to theatrical rock a decade later with bands like My Chemical Romance. —David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026

Between releases, the band has experienced pivotal full-circle moments, the pendulum of time pushing them back into the past and informing their future. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026

The pendulum is nearly 15-feet-long. —Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 31 May 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