Plain English Meaning

Two rings, one inside the other, mounted so they can swivel independently. Whatever sits in the middle can stay still while everything around it tilts and turns.

Full Definition

A mounting arrangement consisting of two pivoted rings set at right angles to each other, allowing a supported object — such as a gyroscope rotor — to remain free to rotate about two independent axes while the surrounding structure moves. In an attitude indicator, the double gimbal lets the spinning gyro hold its orientation in space while the aircraft pitches and rolls around it.

Context Anchor

Seen in explanations of mechanical attitude indicators and how they sense and display pitch and bank.

Derivation

‘’ comes from the Old French ‘gemel,’ meaning ‘twin’ or ‘paired .’ ‘Double’ simply means there are two of them, nested. The name reflects the design: paired rings working together to give freedom of movement in two directions.