precession
noun
pre·ces·sion
prē-ˈse-shən 
: a comparatively slow gyration of the rotation axis of a spinning body about another line intersecting it so as to describe a cone
Examples of precession in a Sentence
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This shift is a result of Earth’s slow wobbling on its axis, known as precession.
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Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024
Predating the Greeks The find also appears to confirm that ancient people were able to record dates by studying the Earth's precession, in which the rotation in Earth’s axis can alter the movement of constellations across the sky.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024
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
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Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024
Predating the Greeks The find also appears to confirm that ancient people were able to record dates by studying the Earth's precession, in which the rotation in Earth’s axis can alter the movement of constellations across the sky.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for precession
Dictionary Entries Near precession
Cite this Entry
“Precession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precession. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precession
noun
pre·ces·sion
prē-ˈsesh-ən
: a comparatively slow circling of the rotation axis of a spinning body about another line intersecting it
precess
verb
prē-ˈses
ˈprē-ˌses
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