gyroscope

1 of 2

noun

gy·​ro·​scope ˈjī-rə-ˌskōp How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
British also ˈgī-
: a wheel or disk mounted to spin rapidly about an axis and also free to rotate about one or both of two axes perpendicular to each other and to the axis of spin so that a rotation of one of the two mutually perpendicular axes results from application of torque to the other when the wheel is spinning and so that the entire apparatus offers considerable opposition depending on the angular momentum to any torque that would change the direction of the axis of spin
gyroscopic
ˌjī-rə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
adjective
gyroscopically
ˌjī-rə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
adverb

Illustration of gyroscope

Illustration of gyroscope

gyroscopic

2 of 2

adjective

gy·​ro·​scop·​ic
-pēk
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a gyroscope
gyroscopically
-pə̇k(ə)lē How to pronounce gyroscopic (audio)
-pēk-, 
-li
adverb

Examples of gyroscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
During this nearly eight-day mission, the crew repaired Hubble’s gyroscopes and upgraded some systems. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025 Equipped with a smart AI chip and gyroscope, the orb hovers, flies, and returns to the user like a boomerang, providing countless hours of entertainment. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025 By measuring the rotation and acceleration of atoms, this new kind of gyroscope can sense motion with improved precision compared to conventional gyros flown on drones, airplanes, and satellites. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025 Instead of using accelerometers and gyroscopes, a quantum sensor measures rotation and acceleration at the atomic level. — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gyroscope

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

First Known Use

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gyroscope was in 1852

Rhymes for gyroscope

See All Rhymes for gyroscope

Browse Nearby Words

gyroplane
gyroscope
gyroscopic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gyroscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gyroscope. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gyroscope

noun
gy·​ro·​scope ˈjī-rə-ˌskōp How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
: a wheel or disk mounted to spin rapidly about an axis that is free to turn in various directions
gyroscopic
ˌjī-rə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce gyroscope (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gyroscope

Nglish: Translation of gyroscope for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gyroscope

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