Definitions for pendulum
ˈpɛn dʒə ləm, ˈpɛn dyə-, -də-pen·du·lum

Princeton's WordNet(3.17 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pendulum(noun)

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

Wiktionary(4.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pendulum(Noun)

   A 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.

   Etymology: Neuter of pendulus, "hanging".

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pendulum(noun)

   a body so suspended from a fixed point as to swing freely to and fro by the alternate action of gravity and momentum. It is used to regulate the movements of clockwork and other machinery

   Etymology: [NL., fr. L. pendulus hanging, swinging. See Pendulous.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pendulum

   A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position. When released, the restoring force combined with the pendulum's mass causes it to oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period. A pendulum swings with a specific period which depends on its length. From its discovery around 1602 by Galileo Galilei the regular motion of pendulums was used for timekeeping, and was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the 1930s. Pendulums are used to regulate pendulum clocks, and are used in scientific instruments such as accelerometers and seismometers. Historically they were used as gravimeters to measure the acceleration of gravity in geophysical surveys, and even as a standard of length. The word 'pendulum' is new Latin, from the Latin pendulus, meaning 'hanging'. The simple gravity pendulum is an idealized mathematical model of a pendulum. This is a weight on the end of a massless cord suspended from a pivot, without friction. When given an initial push, it will swing back and forth at a constant amplitude. Real pendulums are subject to friction and air drag, so the amplitude of their swings declines.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pendulum

   pen′dū-lum, n. any weight so hung from a fixed point as to swing freely: the swinging weight which regulates the movement of a clock: a lamp, &c., pendent from a ceiling: a guard-ring of a watch by which it is attached to a chain.—adj. Pen′dular, relating to a pendulum.—v.i. Pen′dulate, to swing, vibrate.—adjs. Pen′dulent, pendulous; Pen′duline, building a pendulous nest; Pen′dulous, hanging loosely: swinging freely, as the pensile nests of birds: (bot.) hanging downwards, as a flower on a curved stalk.—adv. Pen′dulously.—ns. Pen′dulousness, Pen′dulosity.—Pendulum wire, a kind of flat steel wire for clock pendulums.—Compensation pendulum, a pendulum so constructed that its rod is not altered in length by changes of temperature; Compound pendulum, every ordinary pendulum is compound, as differing from a Simple pendulum, which is a material point suspended by an ideal line; Invariable pendulum, a pendulum for carrying from station to station to be oscillated at each so as to fix the relative acceleration of gravity; Long and short pendulum, a pendulum for determining the absolute force of gravity by means of a bob suspended by a wire of varying length. [L., neut. of pendulus, hanging—pendēre, to hang.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pendulum

   A gravitating instrument for measuring the motion of a ship and thereby assisting the accuracy of her gunnery in regulating horizontal fire.

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pendulum

   Song lyrics by pendulum -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by pendulum on the Lyrics.com website.

How to pronounce pendulum?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say pendulum in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pendulum in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pendulum in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of pendulum in a Sentence

1. David Payne:

   In politics, the pendulum never stops in the middle, polls show those who voted for President Trump are largely happy with their pick, which might lead us to believe there are some more openings at least in 2018 in the House and Senate. But it’s too early to know about 2020.

2. Michael Schatman:

   The pendulum swung too far, about 20 million people in the U.S. have chronic, high-impact pain and are disabled by it.

3. Katherine Lewis:

   But the pendulum swung too far. This is where the cult of self-esteem came from, and the trophies for everyone.

4. Rem Koolhaas:

   There have been periods( in China) where ordinances existed, there were mayors who insisted( to put) Chinese roofs on modern buildings but it's like a pendulum.

5. Larry Glickman:

   We're in a moment where the pendulum is [ swinging ] towards a more favorable view of what government can do.

Images & Illustrations of pendulum

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