pendulum

[ pen-juh-luhm, pen-duh- ]

noun

1. a body so suspended from a fixed point as to move to and fro by the action of gravity and acquired momentum.
2. Horology. a swinging lever, weighted at the lower end, for regulating the speed of a clock mechanism.
3. something that tends to move from one position, condition, etc., to the opposite extreme and then back again:

   In a democratic society, the pendulum of political thought swings left and right.

pendulum

/ ˈpɛndjʊləm /

noun

1. a body mounted so that it can swing freely under the influence of gravity. It is either a bob hung on a light thread ( simple pendulum ) or a more complex structure ( compound pendulum )
2. such a device used to regulate a clockwork mechanism
3. something that changes its position, attitude, etc fairly regularly

   the pendulum of public opinion

pendulum

/ pĕn′jə-ləm /

1. A mass hung from a fixed support so that it is able to swing freely under the influence of gravity. Since the motion of pendulums is regular and periodic, they are often used to regulate the action of various devices, especially clocks.

Other Words From

• pendu·lum·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulum¹

1650–60; < New Latin, noun use of neuter of Latin pendulus pendulous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulum¹

C17: from Latin pendulus pendulous

Example Sentences

But the pendulum is about to swing hard in the other direction.

From Los Angeles Times

"We're in this moment where we're seeing the pendulum sort of swing back to skinny being 'in' and often these things are treated like a trend and we don't want them to be."

From BBC

The pendulum between US interventionism and isolationism is closely watched and felt in Ukraine.

From BBC

I feel like the pendulum is swinging back to authenticity.

From Los Angeles Times

The pendulum apparently is swinging back from left to center on crime and incarceration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• timer