flywheel

[flahy-hweel, -weel]

noun

Machinery.

1. a heavy disk or wheel rotating on a shaft so that its momentum gives almost uniform rotational speed to the shaft and to all connected machinery.

flywheel

/ ˈflaɪˌwiːl /

noun

1. a heavy wheel that stores kinetic energy and smooths the operation of a reciprocating engine by maintaining a constant speed of rotation over the whole cycle

Word History and Origins

Origin of flywheel¹

First recorded in 1775–85; fly ² + wheel

Example Sentences

And this should encourage even more participation — creating a virtuous circle of innovation, demand and monetization known as the “flywheel effect.”

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“Management commentary is becoming increasingly positive, suggesting that the private markets flywheel can accelerate,” Weaver writes.

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That would feed the tech giant’s flywheel model, a self-sustaining cycle of growth in which more subscribers means more money to spend on content, which in turn attracts even more users.

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So long as that flywheel keeps spinning, private managers can keep growing their core fees for some time.

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“They’ve earned pricing power, and the flywheel is spinning—predictable growth, expanding margins, and rising free cash flow.”

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