Word · CEFR C1 · Frequency #14260
pendulum
钟摆；摆
a weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth under the influence of gravity
- 1.
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.
悬挂在固定支架上,在重力作用下自由摆动的物体,常用于调节钟表等装置。
- 2.
an apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity
一种装置,由一个物体安装而成,使其在重力作用下自由摆动
- 3.
A lamp, etc. suspended from a ceiling.
悬挂在天花板上的灯等。
- 4.
A watch's guard-ring by which it is attached to a chain.
手表连接表链的护环。
悬挂在固定支架上,在重力作用下自由摆动的物体,常用于调节钟表等装置。；一种装置,由一个物体安装而成,使其在重力作用下自由摆动；悬挂在天花板上的灯等。；手表连接表链的护环。；钟摆
In use
The pendulum in the grandfather clock swings gently with each tick.
The teacher asked us to measure the length of a pendulum and record its swing time.
Her feelings for the city swung like a pendulum between love and frustration.
the pendulum swings
过去式为 swung；可借指局势、观点等的摇摆变化。
The pendulum swings from side to side.
钟摆来回摆动。
swing the pendulum
常用于比喻，主语为事件或因素，表示使局面发生反转。
The scandal swung the pendulum of public opinion against the government.
丑闻使舆论的钟摆倒向反对政府的一边。
the swing of the pendulum
这是固定表达，指观点或时局的大幅转向，后可接 toward/to 说明方向。
Connections
Collocations
- a pendulum clock
- 摆钟
- The old pendulum clock in the hallway still keeps accurate time.走廊里的那座老摆钟仍然走时准确。
- pendulum motion
- 摆动（运动）
- The pendulum motion of the metronome sets the rhythm for the musician.节拍器的摆动为乐手设定节奏。
- the pendulum swings
- 风向改变；局势逆转
- As the pendulum swings, public opinion may shift again.随着风向改变，舆论可能再次转向。
- a pendulum effect
- 钟摆效应；交替反复的现象
- Analysts see a pendulum effect in the alternation between big and small cars.分析师在大小车型的交替循环中看到了钟摆效应。
Idioms & figurative uses
- the pendulum of public opinion
- 舆论的摇摆The pendulum of public opinion has swung against the new policy.
Learner notes
Memory Tip
pendulum 里 pend 像“挂”（pendant），钟摆挂在高处，左右摇摆不定。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：物理/机械装置、比喻（局势、舆论等摇摆不定） pendulum 既指钟摆这类摆动装置，也常用于比喻“摇摆不定的事态（如舆论或政策）”。多用于书面或正式语境，日常口语中常以 the pendulum swings/swung 这类固定说法出现。
Pronunciation & Spelling
没有严格押韵的词。curriculum和speculum与pendulum共享末尾拼写-ulum（发音相似但不完全相同）；pendant、depend、pending与pendulum共享开头拼写pend-，但发音差异明显。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.