precession

noun

pre·​ces·​sion prē-ˈse-shən How to pronounce precession (audio)
: a comparatively slow gyration of the rotation axis of a spinning body about another line intersecting it so as to describe a cone
precessional
prē-ˈsesh-nəl How to pronounce precession (audio)
-ˈse-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of precession in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This slightly faster precession prevents it from experiencing spin orbit resonances. Gongjie Li, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 This tilt is what astrophysicists call spin precession. Gongjie Li, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 The orbits of planets close by and the precession motion of a planet on its axis can affect seasonal patterns. Gongjie Li, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 Earth does not spin evenly around its axis, but rather, can wobble like a top—a process called precession. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 21 July 2023 The phenomenon is called phase precession. Quanta Magazine, 7 July 2021 This top-like motion is called precession. Frank Wilczek, WSJ, 13 Apr. 2021 Since O’Keefe’s discovery, phase precession has been intensively studied in rats. Grace Huckins, Wired, 11 June 2021 That means that each precession cycle would have lasted only about 11,000 years. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precession.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin praecession-, praecessio, from Medieval Latin, act of preceding, from Latin praecedere to precede

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of precession was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near precession

Cite this Entry

“Precession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precession. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

precession

noun
pre·​ces·​sion prē-ˈsesh-ən How to pronounce precession (audio)
: a comparatively slow circling of the rotation axis of a spinning body about another line intersecting it
precess
prē-ˈses
ˈprē-ˌses
verb

More from Merriam-Webster on precession

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!