Pendulum vs. Metronome — What's the Difference?

A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting, equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position.

A metronome, from ancient Greek μέτρον (métron, "measure") and νομός (nomós, "custom", "melody") is a device that produces an audible click or other sound at a regular interval that can be set by the user, typically in beats per minute (BPM). Metronomes may include synchronized visual motion.

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.

A device used to mark time by means of regularly recurring ticks or flashes at adjustable intervals.

Something that swings back and forth from one course, opinion, or condition to another

(music) A device, containing an inverted pendulum, used to mark time by means of regular ticks at adjustable intervals; an electronic equivalent that emits flashes.

Used to refer to the tendency of a situation to oscillate (between two extremes).

An instrument consisting of a short pendulum with a sliding weight. It is set in motion by clockwork, and serves to measure time in music.

A lamp, etc. suspended from a ceiling.

Clicking pendulum indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music

A watch's guard-ring by which it is attached to a chain.

A body so suspended from a fixed point as to swing freely to and fro by the alternate action of gravity and momentum. It is used to regulate the movements of clockwork and other machinery.

An apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity