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

Normally, Hubble measures its location in space with a system that includes three gyroscopes—rapidly spinning wheels that can sense forces in three directions.

From Science Magazine

Known as piezoelectricity, the ability to trade between mechanical stress and electric charge can be harnessed widely in capacitors, actuators, transducers and sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes for next-generation electronics.

From Science Daily

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

The analysis of the movements detected by the gyroscope and accelerometer is so accurate that in the future it could provide healthcare professionals with a quick and easy way to detect heart failure.

From Science Daily

A chip fixed on a gyroscope inside the ball sends data 500 times per second to record the point at which it is kicked.

From Washington Times