What does pendant mean?
Pendant is a noun for a decorative object that hangs from a chain, necklace, cord, or similar support. Its most familiar use is for a jewel or small ornament suspended from a necklace or bracelet, although the word can also refer to a hanging light fixture. In jewelry and interior design, pendant is ordinary and precise, not especially formal. The term conveys suspension and decoration: the object is physically meant to dangle, and in a necklace it may carry a symbol, color, or personal meaning beyond its decorative function. Pendant is also used for the smaller jewel attached to a chain or necklace, distinct from the whole item. The word’s history makes its imagery especially apt: it comes from French pendant, “hanging,” and ultimately Latin pendere, “to hang.” Thus pendant remains a concise label for something that hangs, whether valuable, luminous, or merely decorative.
nounA decorative object or jewel that hangs from a chain, necklace, cord, or similar support. The term can also refer to a hanging light fixture, especially one suspended from a ceiling.
- A decorative object or jewel hanging from a chain, necklace, cord, or similar support.
- A small gemstone or ornament suspended from a piece of jewelry.
- A hanging light fixture, especially one suspended from a ceiling or cord.
"She wore a gold pendant shaped like a crescent moon."
"The pendant on her necklace was a deep green stone in a silver setting."
"A single pendant lamp cast warm light over the dining table."
The standard plural is pendants, used for multiple hanging ornaments, jewels, or light fixtures.
"She collected several antique pendants."
A pendant literally hangs: its name comes through French from Latin pendere, “to hang,” the same root found in suspend and depend.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pendant come from?
The English word comes from French pendant, meaning “hanging,” which derives from the French verb pendre and ultimately Latin pendere, “to hang.” English adopted the word in the sense of a hanging ornament or jewel and later extended it to hanging light fixtures. The same Latin root underlies related English words such as depend, suspend, pension, and pendent.
How pendant is actually used
In jewelry, pendant is standard and more specific than charm because it identifies an object suspended from a chain or other support. In lighting and interior design, pendant lamp and pendant light are established terms; there is no significant regional distinction between British and American usage.
Easily confused with pendant
A pennant is a flag or banner, whereas a pendant is a hanging ornament, jewel, or light fixture.