gyroscope

noun

gy·​ro·​scope ˈjī-rə-ˌskōp How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
 British also  ˈgī-
: a wheel or disk mounted to spin rapidly about an axis and also free to rotate about one or both of two axes perpendicular to each other and to the axis of spin so that a rotation of one of the two mutually perpendicular axes results from application of torque to the other when the wheel is spinning and so that the entire apparatus offers considerable opposition depending on the angular momentum to any torque that would change the direction of the axis of spin
gyroscopic adjective
gyroscopically adverb

Illustration of gyroscope

Illustration of gyroscope

Examples of gyroscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Each Huracán uses four wheel-speed sensors, three accelerometers (for the X, Y, and Z axes), three gyroscopes (for yaw, pitch, and roll), and a steering angle sensor. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 8 Apr. 2024 The gyroscope steadies the wearer’s hand by countering the motion, like a spinning top trying to keep upright. Chris Stokel-Walker, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 Earlier this year, NASA shifted the telescope into a new operational mode to work around a recurring glitch with one of its gyroscopes. Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 The patches measure the workers’ vital signs and skin hydration, and include a gyroscope to monitor continuous movement. Patrick Martin, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gyroscope 

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gyroscope was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near gyroscope

Cite this Entry

“Gyroscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gyroscope. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gyroscope

noun
gy·​ro·​scope ˈjī-rə-ˌskōp How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
: a wheel or disk mounted to spin rapidly about an axis that is free to turn in various directions
gyroscopic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gyroscope

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!