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

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

Short, tight-mouthed, efficient as a gyrocompass and untiring as the Mediterranean sun, Sir Andrew spent most of his years on the way up aboard destroyers, mostly in the Mediterranean.

From Time Magazine Archive

Elmer Ambrose Sperry, 69, inventor of the gyrocompass, airplane stabilizers, ship stabilizers, a 1,500,000,000 candlepower searchlight and many another instrument; founder of Sperry Gyroscope Co.,

From Time Magazine Archive

Nimitz became to the fleet what a gyrocompass is to a ship.

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 Driscoll, James R. [pseud.]