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• gyro
  gyro

  noun

  gyrocompass.
• gyro-
  gyro-

  a combining form meaning “ring,” “circle,” “spiral,” used in the formation of compound words.

gyro

¹ American  

[jahy-roh] / ˈdʒaɪ roʊ /

noun

plural

gyros

1. gyrocompass.

2. gyroscope.

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gyro ² American  

[yeer-oh, jahy-roh] / ˈyɪər oʊ, ˈdʒaɪ roʊ /

noun

Greek Cooking.

1. meat, usually lamb, roasted on a vertical spit, then thinly sliced, topped with onions, and usually served in a sandwich of pita bread.

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gyro- ³ American  

1. a combining form meaning “ring,” “circle,” “spiral,” used in the formation of compound words.

   gyromagnetic; gyroscope.

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gyro- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating rotating or gyrating motion

   gyroscope

2. indicating a spiral

3. indicating a gyroscope

   gyrocompass

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gyro ² British  

/ ˈdʒaɪrəʊ /

noun

1. See gyrocompass

2. See gyroscope

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Etymology

Origin of gyro¹

First recorded in 1905–10; independent use of gyro-

Origin of gyro²

1970–75; < Modern Greek gŷros literally, turn, revolution; see gyre

Origin of gyro-³

< Greek gŷros ring, noun use of gȳrós round

Explanation

A gyro is either a tool designed to stabilize compasses and other navigation systems — or it's the name for a delicious sandwich. Just make sure you don't get these two kinds of gyros confused! Gyro is frequently used as shorthand for gyroscope, a device that can determine the direction or speed of an attached object. When the word is pronounced YEE-roh, you've got an entirely different gryo, a Greek sandwich made with roasted meat and sauce (and sometimes French fries) stuffed into a round pita pocket. Both meanings have the same Greek root, gyros, "a circle."

Example Sentences

Filmmaker David Kew arrived on the island in February 2017 to document the Papay Gyro Nights festival, set up seven years before by his friend Sergei Ivanov and his partner Tszman Chan.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Belle’s father Maurice, a feckless inventor very much in the Gyro Gear loose mold, gets the plot rolling by getting himself hopelessly lost in the deep woods.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2022

Gyro controls allow you to control the camera in Fortnite by simply turning your controller.

From The Verge • Feb. 15, 2022

In Bothell, the owners behind Moghul Express and Gyro Express in downtown Seattle have expanded to downtown Bothell with Bay Leaf Bar & Grill.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 12, 2020

Gyro K Rotary,Le Rhone Type 7 4 1⁄2 6   ...

From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred

Related Words

• gyroscope