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

Now, the pendulum has swung to oral wellness as consumers and brands focus on inflammation, clean ingredients, the oral microbiome and the mouth’s impact on one’s overall health. —Emily Burns, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

The pendulum apparently is swinging back from left to center on crime and incarceration. —George Skelton, The Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2024

Now, the pendulum appears to be swinging back amid the shock of rising grocery prices. —Molly Parker, ProPublica, 9 Aug. 2024

Of course, the clock runs slower as the pendulum gets longer. —Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

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