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Gyrocompass: meaning, definitions and examples

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gyrocompass

 

[ ˈdʒaɪrəʊˌkʌmpəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

navigation

A gyrocompass is a type of non-magnetic compass which is based on a fast-spinning disc and the rotation of the Earth to find true north. It is used in ships, aircraft, and submarines for navigation.

Examples of usage

  • The gyrocompass helped the ship maintain an accurate course even in rough seas.
  • Due to its stability, the gyrocompass is preferred over magnetic compasses for navigation.

Translations

Translations of the word "gyrocompass" in other languages:

🇵🇹 giroscópio

🇮🇳 जाइरो कंपास

🇩🇪 Kreiselkompass

🇮🇩 giroskop kompas

🇺🇦 гірокомпас

🇵🇱 żyrokompas

🇯🇵 ジャイロコンパス

🇫🇷 gyrocompas

🇪🇸 giroscopio

🇹🇷 jirekompas

🇰🇷 자이로컴퍼스

🇸🇦 جيروكومباس

🇨🇿 gyroskopický kompas

🇸🇰 gyroskopický kompas

🇨🇳 陀螺罗盘

🇸🇮 žiroskopski kompas

🇮🇸 gíróáttak

🇰🇿 гирокомпас

🇬🇪 გიროკომპასი

🇦🇿 gyroskop

🇲🇽 giroscopio

Etymology

The concept of the gyrocompass dates back to ancient times when the Chinese used a form of this technology for navigation. However, the modern gyrocompass as we know it was developed in the early 20th century. It revolutionized navigation by providing a more reliable and accurate method for determining direction, especially in situations where magnetic compasses were unreliable.

See also: gyro, gyroscope.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,659, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.