How to pronounce pendulum
Say it like PEN-juh-lum. Pendulum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pendulum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEN
- juh
- lum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pendulum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- juhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pendulum
American and British speakers say pendulum in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛndʒələm/ in the US and /ˈpɛndʒʊləm/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEN-juu-lum.
What does pendulum mean?
- 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.
- The tendency of a situation to oscillate (between two extremes).
- A lamp, etc. suspended from a ceiling.
Where does pendulum come from?
Borrowed from the neuter of Latin pendulus (“hanging”).
Questions about saying pendulum
How do you pronounce pendulum?
Say PEN-juh-lum. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛndʒələm/. In British English it is /ˈpɛndʒʊləm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pendulum?
Pendulum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN). Broken into parts: PEN · juh · lum.
Do Americans and Brits say pendulum the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛndʒələm/ and the British form is /ˈpɛndʒʊləm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.