Pendant vs. Pennant — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 28, 2024
Pendant is an item of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck, whereas a pennant is a long, narrow flag, often triangular, used for signaling or decoration.
Difference Between Pendant and Pennant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pendant refers to a piece of jewelry designed to hang from a chain or cord around the neck. These can vary greatly in design, often featuring gems, symbols, or initials. Pennant, on the other hand, is a narrow, tapering flag commonly used by naval vessels, sports teams, and in other contexts to convey specific messages or show allegiance.
While pendants are primarily decorative and serve as personal adornments, pennants carry symbolic meanings or messages. They are used in different contexts, from naval communication to sports team identification.
Pendants are often made from precious metals and stones, focusing on aesthetics and personal expression. Whereas pennants are typically made from cloth or similar materials, designed to be durable and visible from a distance.
The choice between wearing a pendant and displaying a pennant usually depends on the occasion or purpose. Pendants are chosen for personal adornment and fashion, while pennants are selected for signaling achievements, affiliations, or for decorative purposes in specific settings.
Pendants can be an expression of personal identity or sentimental value, often given as gifts for special occasions. Pennants, however, are more likely to symbolize collective identity or achievements, such as winning a sports championship or belonging to a particular group or organization.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck.
A long, narrow flag, often triangular, used for signaling or decoration.
Material
Typically made from metals and precious stones.
Usually made from cloth or other durable materials.
Purpose
Decorative, used for personal adornment.
Symbolic, used for communication or as a sign of affiliation.
Context
Worn by individuals as part of their attire.
Displayed by ships, sports teams, or at events.
Significance
Personal or sentimental value.
Collective identity or achievement.
Compare with Definitions
Pendant
A jewelry piece that dangles from a chain.
She wore a pendant with a small ruby that glimmered in the light.
Pennant
Varies in design, but typically long and narrow.
The pennant fluttered at the masthead, bright against the sky.
Pendant
May be given as a gift for special occasions.
For her birthday, she received a pendant engraved with her initials.
Pennant
Often represents affiliation or achievement.
Naval ships fly pennants to indicate their country or mission.
Pendant
Serves as an accessory for both casual and formal wear.
She chose a simple gold pendant to complement her evening gown.
Pennant
Symbolizes collective identity or pride.
Fans waved their team’s pennants during the parade.
Pendant
Often signifies personal value or style.
His pendant, a family crest, was a token of his heritage.
Pennant
Used in sports to signify championship victories.
The club displayed all its pennants in the trophy room.
Pendant
Can feature various designs and materials.
The artisan crafted a pendant with intricate silver filigree.
Pennant
A flag used for signaling or decoration.
The team hoisted their championship pennant above the stadium.
Pendant
A pendant is a loose-hanging piece of jewellery, generally attached by a small loop to a necklace, which may be known as a "pendant necklace". A pendant earring is an earring with a piece hanging down.
Pennant
(Nautical) A long, tapering, usually triangular flag, used on ships for signaling or identification.
Pendant
Something suspended from something else, especially an ornament or piece of jewelry attached to a necklace or bracelet.
Pennant
A flag or an emblem similar in shape to a ship's pennant.
Pendant
A hanging lamp or chandelier.
Pennant
A flag that symbolizes the championship of a league, especially a professional baseball league.
Pendant
A sculptured ornament suspended from a vaulted Gothic roof or ceiling.
Pennant
The championship symbolized by such a flag.
Pendant
One of a matched pair; a companion piece.
Pennant
A flag normally used by naval vessels to represent a special condition.
Pendant
Hanging down; dangling; suspended.
Pennant
The broad pennant flown by commodores.
Pendant
Projecting; overhanging.
Pennant
The church pennant indicating religious services are taking place aboard ship.
Pendant
Awaiting settlement; pending.
Pennant
The commissioning pennant flown on ceremonial occasions.
Pendant
Variant of pendent1.
Pennant
(sports) The winning of a competition, represented by a flag.
The New York Yankees have won the American League pennant far more often than any other team.
Pendant
(architecture) A supporting post attached to the main rafter.
Pennant
A commemorative flag, traditionally triangular and made of felt, typically used to show support for a particular athletic team.
Pendant
A piece of jewellery which hangs down as an ornament, especially worn on a chain around the neck.
Pennant
A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.
Pendant
The dangling part of an earring.
Pennant
A sandstone between coal measures in parts of South Wales
Pendant
(nautical) A short rope hanging down, used to attach hooks for tackles; a pennant.
Pennant
Either of two species of libellulid dragonfly of the genus Macrodiplax, of the tropics and subtropics.
Pendant
(fine arts) One of a pair; a counterpart.
One vase is the pendant to the other vase.
Pennant
A small flag; a pennon. The narrow pennant, or long pennant (called also whip or coach whip) is a long, narrow piece of bunting, carried at the masthead of a government vessel in commission. The board pennant is an oblong, nearly square flag, carried at the masthead of a commodore's vessel.
Pendant
(US) The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.
Pennant
The award given to the champion
Pendant
A lamp hanging from the roof.
Pennant
A flag longer than it is wide (and often tapering)
Pendant
An ornament of wood or of stone hanging downwards from a roof.
Pennant
A long flag; often tapering
Pendant
A long narrow flag at the head of the principal mast in a royal ship.
Pendant
(obsolete) An appendix or addition, as to a book.
Pendant
Testicles.
Pendant
(obsolete) A pendulum.
Pendant
Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character, as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book.
Some hang upon the pendants of her ear.
Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its pendant, the Tales and Popular Fictions.
Pendant
An ornamental object or piece of jewelry with a hook so that it can be hung from a chain around the neck.
Pendant
A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it is of stone, and an important part of the construction. There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere decorative features.
Pendant
One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.
Pendant
A pendulum.
Pendant
The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.
Pendant
An adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry (necklace or earring)
Pendant
Branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling
Common Curiosities
What is a pennant?
A pennant is a long, narrow flag, often of triangular shape, used for signaling, decoration, or to represent a team or organization.
Can pendants have any specific meaning?
Yes, pendants can symbolize personal beliefs, represent sentimental memories, or denote affiliation with a group or idea.
Are pennants only used in sports?
No, pennants are used in various contexts, including naval communication, sports achievements, and as decorative items.
Do pennants have a standard shape?
While often triangular, pennants can come in various shapes but are typically long and narrow.
What is a pendant?
A pendant is a piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain or cord, usually worn around the neck.
What materials are pennants made of?
Pennants are usually made from durable, flexible materials like cloth or polyester to withstand outdoor conditions.
What materials are pendants made from?
Pendants are typically made from metals such as gold, silver, or platinum, and may include precious stones.
Can pendants be worn with any outfit?
Yes, pendants can be chosen to complement both casual and formal attire, depending on their design.
Is there a difference in the occasion for wearing a pendant versus displaying a pennant?
Yes, pendants are typically personal adornments for daily wear or special occasions, while pennants are displayed to signify achievement, affiliation, or celebration.
How are pendants worn?
Pendants are worn hanging from a chain, cord, or necklace around the neck.
Where are pennants displayed?
Pennants are displayed on flagpoles, masts, or walls, often in sports arenas, ships, or at educational institutions.
What does a pennant signify in sports?
In sports, a pennant often signifies a team's championship victory or participation in a significant tournament.
Can anyone wear a pendant?
Yes, pendants are versatile accessories that anyone can wear, regardless of age or gender.
Can pendants and pennants be customized?
Both pendants and pennants can be customized to feature specific designs, symbols, or messages.
How do you choose a pendant?
Choosing a pendant often depends on personal style, the significance of the design, and the occasion for wearing it.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
