gyroscope

[ jahy-ruh-skohp ]

noun

1. an apparatus consisting of a rotating wheel so mounted that its axis can turn freely in certain or all directions, and capable of maintaining the same absolute direction in space in spite of movements of the mountings and surrounding parts: used to maintain equilibrium, determine direction, etc.

gyroscope

/ ˌdʒaɪrəˈskɒpɪk; ˈdʒaɪrəˌskəʊp /

noun

1. a device containing a disc rotating on an axis that can turn freely in any direction so that the disc resists the action of an applied couple and tends to maintain the same orientation in space irrespective of the movement of the surrounding structure Sometimes shortened togyro

gyroscope

/ jī′rə-skōp′ /

1. An instrument consisting of a heavy disk or wheel spun rapidly about an axis like a top. The angular momentum of the disk causes it to resist changes in the direction of its axis of rotation, due to the principle of conservation of angular momentum. Because of the gyroscope's tendency to remain oriented in one direction, it is used as a stabilizing device in missiles, as well as in the navigation and piloting systems of airplanes, ships, rockets, and other vehicles.

Derived Forms

• gyroscopic, adjective
• ˌgyroˈscopics, noun
• ˌgyroˈscopically, adverb

Other Words From

• gy·ro·scop·ic [jahy-r, uh, -, skop, -ik], adjective
• gyro·scopi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gyroscope¹

First recorded in 1855–60; borrowed from the French word gyroscope, a combination of gyro- ( Greek gŷros meaning “ring, circle”) + -scope ( New Latin -scopium, from Greek skopeîn meaning “to look at”). It was coined by French physicist Léon Foucault in 1852, and so named because the purpose of a gyroscope is to show the rotation of the earth through the observation of a wheel on its axis.

Example Sentences

The agency is now invoking a contingency plan: a “one-gyro” mode that keeps the other functioning gyroscope in reserve.

From Science Magazine

Researchers have built a prototype fiber optic gyroscope for high resolution, real-time monitoring of ground rotations caused by earthquakes in the active volcanic area of Campi Flegrei in Naples, Italy.

From Science Daily

In Optica Publishing Group journal Applied Optics, the researchers report preliminary observational data from the rotational sensor, which is based on a 2-km long fiber-optic gyroscope.

From Science Daily

To measure rotation in seismic waves from an earthquake or volcanic activity, the researchers developed a more complex gyroscope based on the Sagnac effect.

From Science Daily

Once the researchers have improved the resolution and stability of the single-axis system, they plan to set up a three-axis gyroscope.

From Science Daily