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 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

Simply put, humans’ lives are valuable and should not to be at the mercy of a technical error that could be made by these AI systems regardless of its high precession. —Mohamed Suliman, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

More accurately, Earth’s axis of rotation performs a wobbling motion like a spinning top, a phenomenon known as precession. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 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