pendant

noun

pen·dant ˈpen-dənt

senses 3 & 4 are also

ˈpe-nənt

sense 5 is also

päⁿ-ˈdäⁿ

variants or less commonly pendent

: something suspended: such as

: an ornament (as on a necklace) allowed to hang free

A turquoise pendant hung on her necklace.

: an electrical fixture suspended from the ceiling

hung an incandescent light pendant from the ceiling over the reading area

: a hanging ornament of roofs or ceilings much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture

: a length of line usually used as a connector on a boat or ship

especially : a short rope hanging from a spar and having at its free end a block or spliced thimble (see thimble sense 2a)

chiefly British : pennant sense 1a

: companion piece

The portrait of his father is a pendant to the one of his mother.

: something secondary or supplementary

The illustration is an apt pendant to the poem.

Did you know?

Most pendants are purely decorative. But a pendant may also hold a picture or a lock of hair of a lover or a child. And, perhaps because they hang protectively in front of the body and near the heart, pendants have often had symbolic and magical purposes. Thus, a pendant may be a charm or amulet, or its gems or metals may be felt to have health-giving properties. In architecture, a pendant is an ornament that hangs down from a structure, but unlike a necklace pendant it's usually solid and inflexible.

Example Sentences

Navajo necklaces with pendants finely crafted in genuine sky-blue turquoise. a pendant that once flew on Nelson's flagship

Recent Examples on the Web Madonna also opted for layers of silver necklaces to complete her holiday look — including a New York Yankees pendant — and a glass of red wine to match her hair.

Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2022 At the center of a second golden pendant, this one oval in shape, is a gold cross of Saint James atop a large Colombian emerald.

Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2022 The front of the dress featured gold choker detailing with Versace’s signature medusa pendant and a cut-out sweetheart neckline.

Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 3 May 2022 The brass globe pendant light became the focal point of the space.

Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 1 Nov. 2022 Other one-of-a-kind finds that will be on display in the museum include a gold pendant with the Cross of Santiago.

Bill Springer, Forbes, 31 July 2022 One crucifix pendant with multiple small stones affixed.

Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 22 Apr. 2022 Ryan Coogler, the director and co-writer of both Black Panther movies, wore a chain that had a pendant emblazoned with a picture of Boseman.

Greg Cannella, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2022 The star wore a matching glittery bra top and trousers, accessorizing with matching pointy stiletto boots and a crystal choker necklace that had a giant cross pendant on it—perfect for a night in Vegas.

Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pendant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pendaunt, from Anglo-French pendant, from present participle of pendre to hang, from Vulgar Latin *pendere, from Latin pendēre; akin to Latin pendere to weigh, estimate, pay, pondus weight

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of pendant was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century