Definition of pendulum
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
Recent Examples of pendulum from the Web
The paper shows how an abstract geometry can describe all the interesting physics changes, going from something that looks like standard chaos to something that looks a bit like a fairly simple pendulum-type problem.
The pendulum swung too far against him for a June that wasn’t nearly as bad as many fantasy owners perceived.
How far to the right does the pendulum need to swing?
Visitors ramble through a field of thousands of glittering, spinning pendulums in many shapes and colors.
Now, thanks to a dwindling tourism industry and an unstable political system, the pendulum has swung back the other way as people look to make a profit off illegal sales of the reptile.
And the pendulum swung the whole way out to be as in your face as possible with my queerness.
Sure, this sounds like a class that could go down as one of the strongest ever, but the pendulum will swing to the negative.
Compare that grisly punishment with present-day Scandinavian correctional practices that show how far the pendulum has swung the other way.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pendulum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pendulum
New Latin, from Latin, neuter of pendulus
First Known Use: 1660See Words from the same year
PENDULUM Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of pendulum for English Language Learners
: a stick with a weight at the bottom that swings back and forth inside a clock
PENDULUM Defined for Kids
Definition of pendulum for Students
: a weight hung from a point so as to swing freely back and forth under the action of gravity
Word Root of pendulum
The Latin word pendere, meaning “to cause to hang down,” gives us the root pend. Words from the Latin pendere have something to do with hanging. To suspend is to cause something to hang down from a single point. To depend is to hang, or rely, on the support of others. A pendant is an ornament that hangs free, as on a necklace. A pendulum is an object hung from a point that swings freely back and forth, as in a clock.
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up pendulum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).