gyre

Everyday

1. (science) A gyre is a huge circle of ocean currents that moves round and round across a large part of an ocean. tree →
2. (poetic) A gyre is a spiral or whirling movement; to gyre means to spin or whirl round. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons pupils learn there are five big ocean gyres; plastic rubbish collects in them, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In poetry, Lewis Carroll's «Jabberwocky» says «did gyre and gimble in the wabe», and W. B. Yeats wrote of «the widening gyre». Phrases: «ocean gyre», «North Pacific Gyre».

Examples

• The North Pacific Gyre carries rubbish into a huge patch. tree →
• There are five major ocean gyres. tree →
• Ocean gyres move warm and cold water around the world. tree →
• Plastic bottles can drift in a gyre for years. tree →
• «'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.» tree →
• The leaves gyred in the wind. tree →

Note

Countable: a gyre, gyres. Pronounced «JY-er» (rhymes with «fire»), sometimes «GY-er». Rare word outside science and poetry. The verb sense is poetic or old. Related: gyroscope.