Gyroscope: meaning, definitions and examples

A gyroscope is generally used in scientific, aerospace, and engineering contexts to refer to a device that measures or maintains orientation and angular velocity.

• The gyroscope helps stabilize the satellite
• The virtual reality system uses a gyroscope to track head motions

Gyro is a shortened form of gyroscope and can be used informally or in technical fields where brevity is preferred.

• The drone's gyro is malfunctioning
• Check the gyro settings in the game controller for better accuracy

A gyrocompass is specifically used in navigation, especially on ships and aircraft, to find true north by using a fast-spinning wheel and the Earth's rotation.

• The ship's captain relied on the gyrocompass to maintain course
• Pilots often use a gyrocompass for accurate direction finding

A gyrostabilizer is used to reduce the roll of ships or stabilize cameras and other equipment. It's often found in marine and cinematographic applications.

• The luxury yacht was fitted with a gyrostabilizer for a smoother journey
• The film crew installed a gyrostabilizer to get steady shots