pendulum

noun

pen·​du·​lum ˈpen-jə-ləm How to pronounce pendulum (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Coaching and medical staff are also preparing for a huge pendulum swing as the team gets ready for mid-week Champions League fixtures and (hopefully) more domestic cup games. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 The Bigger the Bag, the Better Uma and Luca say the bag pendulum is going to swing from mini to extra large this season. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 The pendulum has officially swung back to oversized sunglasses. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026 The ride swings like a pendulum, repeatedly turning thrill-seekers upside down while its passenger compartment spins. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pendulum

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, noun derivative from neuter of Latin pendulus pendulous

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pendulum was in 1660

Phrases Containing pendulum

Browse Nearby Words

pendulous crop
pendulum
pendulum gun
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pendulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendulum. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pendulum

noun
pen·​du·​lum ˈpen-jə-ləm How to pronounce pendulum (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on pendulum

Nglish: Translation of pendulum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pendulum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All