Definition

1. Noun:
   • A swinging weight: A pendulum is a weight suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth under the influence of gravity. It is a fundamental apparatus in physics for measuring time and demonstrating harmonic motion.
   • A metaphor for regular change or oscillation: The word is often used metaphorically to describe something that moves or changes between two states, points, or opinions in a regular, predictable, or extreme manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Physical Object):
  • The old grandfather clock kept time with a brass pendulum.
  • Galileo studied the motion of a pendulum.
• Noun (Metaphorical Use):
  • Public opinion is a pendulum that swings between liberal and conservative views.
  • His mood swings were like a pendulum, from extreme joy to deep despair.

Advanced Usage

• "The pendulum has swung": This idiom indicates that a trend, opinion, or situation has changed dramatically to the opposite extreme.
  • After years of strict policies, the pendulum has swung towards more relaxed regulations.
• "To be a pendulum between": To alternate regularly between two states or positions.
  • The country's foreign policy has been a pendulum between isolationism and intervention.

Variants and Related Words

• Pendulous (adj): Hanging down loosely and swinging; drooping.
  • The tree had pendulous branches laden with fruit.
• Pendular (adj): Relating to or resembling the motion of a pendulum.
  • The patient exhibited a pendular eye movement.

Synonyms

• Oscillator: A device or system that exhibits periodic oscillation.
• Swing: A device for swinging on or the act of moving back and forth (less technical).

Related Phrases

• Pendulum clock: A clock that uses a pendulum as its timekeeping element.
  • The pendulum clock in the hall chimes every hour.
• Pendulum effect: The tendency for things to swing from one extreme to another.
  • The pendulum effect in fashion means that styles from decades ago often come back.

Related Idioms

• "The swing of the pendulum": The natural movement or change from one condition or opinion to another.
  • We are just seeing the swing of the pendulum in economic cycles.

Noun

1. an apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity