Foucault pendulum

Save This Word!

noun Physics.

a pendulum that demonstrates the rotation of the earth by exhibiting an apparent change in its plane of oscillation.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of Foucault pendulum

First recorded in 1850–55; named after J.B.L. Foucault

Words nearby Foucault pendulum

Fothergill's operation, Fotheringhay, fou, Foucault, Foucault current, Foucault pendulum, Foucquet, foudre, foudroyant, fouetté, fought

How to use Foucault pendulum in a sentence

But gerrymandering has cold cocked the pendulum weight, stopped it dead.
Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists|P. J. O’Rourke|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pendulum swing between moods and tone, however, became a staple of the shoot.
How Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig Pulled Off Their Most Dramatic Roles Yet|Kevin Fallon|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I think the pendulum has swung back on that because of books like The Blood Telegram.
The Real Legacy of Richard Nixon|Scott Porch|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pendulum has swung too far in the other direction from physician paternalism towards willful ignorance by patients.
Why Smart People Are Dumb Patients|Jean Kim|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Shaked spoke in these generalities initially—referring to two sets of people, two polar opposites on a pendulum.
Knesset Member Walks Back On Facebook Post Calling Palestinian Kids ‘Little Snakes’|Gideon Resnick|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By what word is the relation between “pendulum” and “a smile and tear” described?
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
The sword clattered from his hand and rolled, with a pendulum-like movement, to the feet of Garnache.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
To swing a pendulum, picked out from a number of them at random, without touching it is a very puzzling trick.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
Another pendulum may be pointed out and he will start that one apparently by looking at it, while the other one stops.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
With a little practice anyone can become a skilled medium in pendulum swinging.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

Scientific definitions for Foucault pendulum

Foucault pendulum

A pendulum suspended from a long wire, set into motion, and sustained in motion over long periods. Due to the axial rotation of the earth, the plane of motion of the pendulum shifts at a rate and direction dependent on its latitude, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. At the poles the plane rotates once per day, while at the equator it does not rotate at all.