Pendulum Meaning
/ˈpɛnd͡ʒʊləm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA body suspended from a fixed support so that it swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity, commonly used to regulate various devices such as clocks.
nounA body suspended from a fixed support so that it swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity, commonly used to regulate various devices such as clocks., The tendency of a situation to oscillate (between two extremes).
Sentence Examples
He reached into the case and stopped the pendulum.
The pendulum swung back and forth.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old clock's ____ swung back and forth to measure the passing seconds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The grandfather clock's ____ swung steadily back and forth, marking each passing second.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from the neuter of Latin pendulus (“hanging”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The pendulum can be seen to be swinging in favour of rail, as with each issue of RAIL comes news of further intermodal service expansion."
— 2021 October 20, Industry Insider, “The wheels turn slowly”, in RAIL, number 942, page 68:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The old clock's ____ swung back and forth to measure the passing seconds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The grandfather clock's ____ swung steadily back and forth, marking each passing second.