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

By Friday, the pendulum will swing back and temperatures in the hottest spots are again expected to get into the upper 80s. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Suspension comes from telescopic forks and rear pendulum shocks that ought to offer long travel. — Utkarsh Sood june 28, New Atlas, 28 June 2026

But the blueness of these districts does mean that the socialists will get elected and likely survive when the pendulum swings back to the Republicans. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026

Today, the pendulum has swung toward restraint. — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 27 June 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