1. to undergo precession; to move in a slow circular motion around an axis while rotating
Usage: physics; astronomy

Examples

• The Earth’s axis precesses over a period of about 26,000 years.
• A spinning top will precess as it slows down.
• The gyroscope began to precess when the external force was applied.
• Mercury’s orbit precesses around the Sun due to relativistic effects.
• The wobbling motion causes the planet’s rotational axis to precess.
• Scientists observed how the satellite’s orientation would precess in orbit.