noun
- plural of precession; slow changes in the orientation of a rotating object’s axis of rotation
Usage: physics; astronomy
Examples
- The precessions of spinning tops can be observed in physics demonstrations.
- Astronomers study the precessions of planetary axes over long time periods.
- Earth’s precessions affect the timing of seasons over thousands of years.
- The gyroscope exhibited multiple precessions as it slowed down.
- Scientists measure precessions to understand celestial mechanics.
- The precessions of the moon’s orbit influence tidal patterns.