noun
pendulum
PEHND-zhuu-luhm
noun
1
A weight hung from a fixed point that swings freely back and forth, often used to regulate a clock.
"The grandfather clock's pendulum ticked steadily in the hallway."
2
Figuratively, a situation or mood that swings between two opposite extremes.
"Public opinion is like a pendulum, swinging from outrage to indifference and back."
How to Use Pendulum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA swinging weight, or, figuratively, anything that shifts back and forth between two extremes.
Common pairings
pendulum swings
swing of the pendulum
Word Forms
pendulums plural, pendula plural
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The grandfather clock's _____ ticked steadily in the hallway.
Etymology
From Latin pendulus ("hanging").