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
Over time, the pendulum has swung increasingly toward local empowerment.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
What is certain is that the pendulum has swung back in Liverpool’s favour over the past decade.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
As the sartorial pendulum swings back from demure Bayonetta glasses, Tracee Ellis Ross and Dua Lipa have both embraced thick, face-eclipsing frames.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
But Democrats this week have watched the political pendulum swing into their favor.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
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Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
What is certain is that the pendulum has swung back in Liverpool’s favour over the past decade.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
As the sartorial pendulum swings back from demure Bayonetta glasses, Tracee Ellis Ross and Dua Lipa have both embraced thick, face-eclipsing frames.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
But Democrats this week have watched the political pendulum swing into their favor.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pendulum
Cite this Entry
“Pendulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendulum. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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