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 pendulum had swung firmly in Dvalishvili's favor by Round 4. —David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025

The pendulum need not swing so far in either direction. —Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025

The pendulum swung back in the other direction Tuesday night. —Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025

Encouraging that patience and investment in art, that has been honored this year in a big way after the pendulum swing of TikTok short form. —Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 13 Jan. 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