gyroscope

[ jahy-ruh-skohp ]
/ ˈdʒaɪ rəˌskoʊp /

noun

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.
Also called gyro.

Origin of gyroscope

From French, dating back to 1855–60; see origin at gyro-, -scope

OTHER WORDS FROM gyroscope

gy·ro·scop·ic [jahy-ruh-skop-ik] /ˌdʒaɪ rəˈskɒp ɪk/, adjective gy·ro·scop·i·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for gyroscopic

British Dictionary definitions for gyroscopic

gyroscope

gyrostat

/ (ˈdʒaɪrəˌskəʊp) /

noun

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 to: gyro

Derived forms of gyroscope

gyroscopic (ˌdʒaɪrəˈskɒpɪk), adjective gyroscopically, adverb gyroscopics, noun

Scientific definitions for gyroscopic

gyroscope
[ jīrə-skōp′ ]

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.