pendulum

[ pen-juh-luh m, pen-duh- ]
/ ˈpɛn dʒə ləm, ˈpɛn də- /

noun

a body so suspended from a fixed point as to move to and fro by the action of gravity and acquired momentum.
Horology. a swinging lever, weighted at the lower end, for regulating the speed of a clock mechanism.
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.

Origin of pendulum

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

OTHER WORDS FROM pendulum

pen·du·lum·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for pendulum

British Dictionary definitions for pendulum

pendulum
/ (ˈpɛndjʊləm) /

noun

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)
such a device used to regulate a clockwork mechanism
something that changes its position, attitude, etc fairly regularly the pendulum of public opinion

Word Origin for pendulum

C17: from Latin pendulus pendulous

Scientific definitions for pendulum

pendulum
[ pĕnjə-ləm ]

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.