What does "gyration" mean?
The act of turning or whirling, especially around a fixed axis or centre; a circular or spiral motion; rotation.
Gyration
/dʒaɪ(ə)ˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of turning or whirling, especially around a fixed axis or centre; a circular or spiral motion; rotation.
- Grammar: gyration is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: rotation, angular momentum, angular motion, angular velocity.
- Useful contrasts: immobility, stagnation, standstill.
- Usage evidence: Novv that the ayre impelled returnes unto its place in a gyration or vvhirling, is evident from the Atomes or moates in the Sun. For vvhen the Sunne ſo enters a hole or vvindovv, that by its illumination the Atomes or moates become perceptible, if then by our breath the ayre bee gently impelled, it may be perceived that they vvill circularly returne, and in a gyration unto their places againe.
How to use "gyration"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "gyration" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "gyration" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "gyration" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "gyration" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "gyration" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "rotation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of turning or whirling, especially around a fixed axis or centre; a circular or spiral motion; rotation. also, countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Novv that the ayre impelled returnes unto its place in a gyration or vvhirling, is evident from the Atomes or moates in the Sun. For vvhen the Sunne ſo enters a hole or vvindovv, that by its illumination the Atomes or moates become perceptible, if then by our breath the ayre bee gently impelled, it may be perceived that they vvill circularly returne, and in a gyration unto their places againe."
- 2 the act of rotating in a circle or spiral wordnet
- 3 The act of turning or whirling, especially around a fixed axis or centre; a circular or spiral motion; rotation.; A rotation around an axis which is not the centre of rotational symmetry; an eccentric or off-centre rotation. also, countable, figuratively, specifically, uncountable
- 4 a single complete turn (axial or orbital) wordnet
- 5 One of the whorls of a spiral univalve shell. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The arrangement of convolutions of gyri in the cerebral cortex of the brain. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Novv that the ayre impelled returnes unto its place in a gyration or vvhirling, is evident from the Atomes or moates in the Sun. For vvhen the Sunne ſo enters a hole or vvindovv, that by its illumination the Atomes or moates become perceptible, if then by our breath the ayre bee gently impelled, it may be perceived that they vvill circularly returne, and in a gyration unto their places againe."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "gyration"?
Common synonyms include: rotation, angular momentum, angular motion, angular velocity, axial motion, axial rotation.
How do you use "gyration" in a sentence?
Novv that the ayre impelled returnes unto its place in a gyration or vvhirling, is evident from the Atomes or moates in the Sun. For vvhen the Sunne ſo enters a hole or vvindovv, that by its illumination the Atomes or moates become perceptible, if then by our breath the ayre bee gently impelled, it may be perceived that they vvill circularly returne, and in a gyration unto their places againe.
How do you pronounce "gyration"?
Pronounced /dʒaɪ(ə)ˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/.
Etymology
From gyre (“to spin around; to gyrate, to whirl; (rare) to make (something) spin or whirl around; to spin, to whirl”) + -ation (suffix indicating actions or processes). Gyre is from Late Middle English giren (“to turn (something) away; to cause (something) to revolve or rotate; to travel in a circle”), from Old French girer (“to turn”), and directly from its etymon Latin gȳrāre, the present active infinitive of gȳrō (“to turn in a circle, rotate; to circle or revolve around”) (from gȳrus (“circle; circular motion; circuit, course”), from Ancient Greek γῦρος (gûros, “a circle, a ring”), from Proto-Indo-European *gew- (“to bend; to curve”)) + -ō (suffix forming regular first-conjugation verbs).