Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: Modern Latin
Origin: Latin pendulus; PENDULOUS

pendulum

 noun
     
Related topics: Household
pen‧du‧lum [countable]
1DH a long metal stick with a weight at the bottom that swings regularly from side to side to control the working of a clock
2

the pendulum

used to talk about the tendency of ideas, beliefs etc to change regularly to the opposite:
After several years of Republican government, the pendulum will undoubtedly swing back and voters will elect a Democrat.
the pendulum of
the pendulum of fashion
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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