pendant

noun pen·dant \ˈpen-dənt; 3 & 4 are also ˈpe-nənt, 5 is also päⁿ-ˈdäⁿ\

: a piece of jewelry that hangs on a chain or a cord which is worn around your neck

Full Definition of PENDANT

: something suspended: as

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

b : an electrical fixture suspended from the ceiling

: 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

chiefly British : pennant 1a

a : companion piece

b : something secondary or supplementary

See pendant defined for English-language learners

See pendant defined for kids

Variants of PENDANT

pen·dant also pen·dent \ˈpen-dənt; 3 & 4 are also ˈpe-nənt, 5 is also päⁿ-ˈdäⁿ\

Origin of PENDANT

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

Related to PENDANT

Synonyms: bangle, charm, lavaliere (also lavalliere)

Other Jewelry Terms

bijou, brilliant, chase, facet, lapidary, paste

Rhymes with PENDANT

pendent, splendent

PENDANT Defined for Kids

pendant

noun pen·dant \ˈpen-dənt\

Definition of PENDANT for Kids

: a piece of jewelry hanging on a chain or cord that is worn around the neck

Word Root of PENDANT

The Latin word pendere, meaning “to cause to hang down,” gives us the root pend. Words from the Latin pendere have something to do with hanging. To suspend is to cause something to hang down from a single point. To depend is to hang, or rely, on the support of others. A pendant is an ornament that hangs free, as on a necklace. A pendulum is an object hung from a point that swings freely back and forth, as in a clock.

Learn More About PENDANT

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "pendant"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "pendant"

Nglish: Translation of "pendant" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "pendant" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "pendant"

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: pendant postPrevious Word in the Dictionary: pendaAll Words Near: pendant

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up pendant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site