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 Physics of Decentralization Historically, revolutions in computing have followed a pendulum swing between centralization and decentralization. —Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

The pendulum has been swinging back and forth for decades. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

With the pendulum already swinging hard in the wrong direction, that may be the biggest problem of all. —Chris Johnston, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

It’s become the norm for teens and tweens to have smartphones — but lately, the pendulum has been swinging back. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 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