Definition of "pendulum" []

• 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, especially clocks. Also called simple pendulum. (noun)
• Something that swings back and forth from one course, opinion, or condition to another: the pendulum of public opinion. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "That late Michael Halliday goal at the Oval on Good Friday has swung the title pendulum back in favour of the east-Belfast side - but only just."
• "That's why the pendulum is always swinging, but it's particularly acute, I think, in times and in places that have high stress of citizens."
• "Every time I think the pendulum is at its apex, it keeps on moving to the right anyway."