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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

gyros plural

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

The beef and Fritos bag earned the highest rating of 7.9, while the chicken and gyro meat bags earned much lower scores.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2024

They are crinkle-cut fries with gyro meat, feta cream sauce, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, sliced red onions, pepperoncini, and feta cheese.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2023

A nearby bus depot is a hub for commuters and tempts them to linger with a boba tea shop, a gyro stand and an outdoor cinema.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2023

But the “sweeper” slider would offer hitters a different plane and pitch shape completely different from his high 90s fastballs up in the zone, the gyro slider down in the zone and his sinking changeup.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 19, 2023

When the waiter comes he orders a gyro platter and a side of pepperoncini and coffee.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• gyroscope