26984 words

pendulum

4 definitions • 4 examples
1
a device consisting of a weight on a stick or thread that moves from one side to the other, especially one that forms a part of some types of clocks:

Examples:

The pendulum in the grandfather clock swung back and forth.
The spaceship's jets were fired periodically to dampen a side-to-side pendulum motion that had developed.
2
a change, especially from one opinion to an opposite one:

Examples:

As so often in education, the pendulum has swung back to the other extreme and testing is popular again.
3
a device consisting of a weight hanging on a rod or cord that moves from one side to the other, esp. one that forms a part of a clock
4
A pendulum is also power or control of an activity that changes from one group to another:

Examples:

In labor-management relations, the pendulum has swung wildly in the direction of the players.

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