precession

noun

pre·​ces·​sion prē-ˈse-shən 

: a comparatively slow gyration of the rotation axis of a spinning body about another line intersecting it so as to describe a cone

precessional

prē-ˈsesh-nəl 

-ˈse-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of precession in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team’s solution was to collect measurements from exactly one complete 1,050-day precession cycle of the satellites. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

During green periods, however, Earth’s precession is such that the direct rays of summer sun and perihelion occur at the same time, giving the Sahara a 7-percent rise in overall solar radiation compared to today. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026

The calculations revealed a lack of precession prior to the merger. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026

When applied to a magnetar, the spinning would hypothetically create something called a Lense-Thirring precession. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier in sense precession of the equinoxes, borrowed from Medieval Latin praecessiōn-, praecessiō, literally, "going before or ahead (in space or time)," going back to Late Latin, from Latin praecēdere "to go in front (of), precede" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing precession

• precession of the equinoxes

Rhymes for precession

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Kids Definition

precession

noun

pre·​ces·​sion prē-ˈsesh-ən 

: a comparatively slow circling of the rotation axis of a spinning body about another line intersecting it

precess

prē-ˈses, 

ˈprē-ˌses

verb