precession

[ pree-sesh-uhn ]

/ priˈsɛʃ ən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for precession on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or fact of preceding; precedence.

Mechanics. the motion of the rotation axis of a rigid body, as a spinning top, when a disturbing torque is applied while the body is rotating such that the rotation axis describes a cone, with the vertical through the vertex of the body as axis of the cone, and the motion of the rotating body is perpendicular to the direction of the torque.

Astronomy.

the slow, conical motion of the earth's axis of rotation, caused by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon, and, to a smaller extent, of the planets, on the equatorial bulge of the earth.
precession of the equinoxes.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of precession

1300–50; <Late Latin praecessiōn- (stem of praecessiō) a going before, advance, equivalent to Latin praecess(us) (past participle of praecēdere to precede) + -iōn--ion; see cession

OTHER WORDS FROM precession

pre·ces·sion·al, adjective

Words nearby precession

preceptor, preceptory, preceptress, preceramic, precess, precession, precession of the equinoxes, pre-Christian, pre-Christmas, précieuse, précieux

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use precession in a sentence

The new study also found evidence of phase precession outside of spatial tasks, lending some weight to the idea it may be a more general process in learning throughout the brain.
A Neuron’s Sense of Timing Encodes Information in the Human Brain|Jason Dorrier|July 11, 2021|Singularity Hub
The researchers say more studies are needed to flesh out the role of phase precession in the brain, and how or if it contributes to learning is still uncertain.
A Neuron’s Sense of Timing Encodes Information in the Human Brain|Jason Dorrier|July 11, 2021|Singularity Hub
Notably, the rate of that precession diverged slightly from the standard model expectation, physicists report April 7 in a virtual seminar, and in a paper published in Physical Review Letters.
Muon magnetism could hint at a breakdown of physics’ standard model|Emily Conover|April 7, 2021|Science News
After the pulse, the precession frequencies gradually become unsynchronized again as the protons return to their upright orientation, spinning off at different rates like dancers embarking on their solos.
The Trouble with Brain Scans - Issue 98: Mind|Kelsey Ichikawa|March 31, 2021|Nautilus

A radiofrequency pulse not only knocks protons down, but synchronizes their spins with each other, matching their precession frequencies into a coordinated group choreography.
The Trouble with Brain Scans - Issue 98: Mind|Kelsey Ichikawa|March 31, 2021|Nautilus
This is due to what is known as "precession;" a slow movement of the axis upon which the earth rotates.
The Astronomy of the Bible|E. Walter Maunder
Does the precession of the equinoxes have any effect upon the seasons or upon the climate of different parts of the earth?
A Text-Book of Astronomy|George C. Comstock
Will the precession ever bring back the right ascensions and declinations to be again what they now are?
A Text-Book of Astronomy|George C. Comstock
This slow movement forward of the goal-post is called precession—the precession of the equinoxes.
Pioneers of Science|Oliver Lodge
Instruct the computer to discontinue precession operations that have been initiated.
Where I Wasn't Going|Walt Richmond

British Dictionary definitions for precession

precession

/ (prɪˈsɛʃən) /

noun

the act of preceding

See precession of the equinoxes

the motion of a spinning body, such as a top, gyroscope, or planet, in which it wobbles so that the axis of rotation sweeps out a cone

Derived forms of precession

precessional, adjectiveprecessionally, adverb

Word Origin for precession

C16: from Late Latin praecessiō a going in advance, from Latin praecēdere to precede

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for precession

precession

[ prē-sĕsh′ən ]

The rotational motion of the axis of a spinning body, such as the wobbling of a spinning top, caused by torque applied to the body along its axis of rotation.

The motion of this kind made by the Earth's axis, caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the Sun, Moon, and other planets. The precession of Earth's axis has a period of nearly 25,800 years, during which time the reference points on the equatorial coordinate system (the celestial poles and celestial equator) will gradually shift their positions on the celestial sphere.♦ The precession of the equinoxes is the slow westward shift of the autumnal and vernal equinoxes along the ecliptic, resulting from precession of the Earth's axis. See also nutation.

precession

Origin of precession

OTHER WORDS FROM precession

Words nearby precession

Words related to precession

How to use precession in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for precession

Derived forms of precession

Word Origin for precession

Scientific definitions for precession