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

Illustration of gyroscope

Illustration of gyroscope

Examples of gyroscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From Hubble's gyroscopes to the Wide-Field Camera 3 swapped out in 2009, the telescope has benefitted from many technological upgrades. Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 6 July 2026 It's got some incredible features, including multi-band frequency and GNSS network support, as well as a three-axis compass and gyroscope for those who love the outdoors. George Yang, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026 In these moments, Blunt seems to have entered a zone akin to the steady momentum of a gyroscope, a kind of spiritual whirring that has to find its own natural stopping point. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 9 June 2026 This new feature would be an improvement which uses the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope to calculate that the sudden movement indicates a snatch-and-grab. David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gyroscope

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gyroscope was in 1852

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Cite this Entry

“Gyroscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gyroscope. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

gyroscope

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

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