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

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 Word Forms

• pendulumlike 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

That’s the nature of politics, and in a democracy the pendulum swings in reaction to each administration.

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This process resembles several pendulums gradually swinging together at the same frequency.

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For the most part they are thoughtful and honest journalists intent on restoring high standards and pushing the pendulum back a little toward the plumb-line.

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“The pendulum between fear and greed is swinging toward the former,” Bannockburn’s Marc Chandler writes, citing large writedowns at some banks.

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Nature follows countless rhythms: the changing of the seasons comes from Earth's orbit around the Sun, and the steady tick of a clock arises from the back-and-forth swing of its pendulum.

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Related Words

• timer