gyrocompass

American  

[jahy-roh-kuhm-puhs] / ˈdʒaɪ roʊˌkʌm pəs /

noun

1. a navigational compass containing a gyroscope rotor, that, when adjusted for the latitude and speed of the vessel or aircraft, indicates the direction of true north along the surface of the earth or communicates this information to one or more gyro repeaters.

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gyrocompass British  

/ ˈdʒaɪrəʊˌkʌmpəs /

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: gyro.  nautical a nonmagnetic compass that uses a motor-driven gyroscope to indicate true north

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Etymology

Origin of gyrocompass

First recorded in 1905–10; gyro(scope) + compass

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gyrocompass

In the early 1900s, two inventors figured out how to align the spin to the Earth's north-south axis, giving us the gyrocompass.

From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2019

His gyrocompass, he said, was not being used just prior to the accident because it was six degrees off, and the helmsman was steering by magnetic compass.

From Time Magazine Archive

Yet, paradoxically, he helped develop a gyrocompass for U-boats.

From Time Magazine Archive

An electrical power supply on one craft overheated and failed, knocking out the gyrocompass, the horizon indicator and the cockpit lights.

From Time Magazine Archive

"By the gyrocompass," answered Bill Witt, pointing to where Executive Officer Binns and Commander McClure stood in the conning tower.

From The Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet by James R. [pseud.] Driscoll