gyroscope

noun

gy·​ro·​scope ˈjī-rə-ˌskōp 

 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

ˌjī-rə-ˈskä-pik 

adjective

gyroscopically

ˌjī-rə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Illustration of gyroscope

Examples of gyroscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gyroscope

noun

gy·​ro·​scope ˈjī-rə-ˌskōp 

: a wheel or disk mounted to spin rapidly about an axis that is free to turn in various directions

gyroscopic

ˌjī-rə-ˈskäp-ik 

adjective