Definition
A mechanical support consisting of two or more pivoted rings mounted on perpendicular axes, allowing an object held within it to remain in a fixed orientation regardless of how the surrounding structure moves or rotates.
Plain English
A set of pivoting rings that lets something inside stay level or pointed the same way even when the thing holding it tilts or turns.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft instrument and maintenance discussions, especially where an instrument must keep moving freely inside its case while the aircraft changes position.
Derivation
From the Old French 'gemel,' meaning 'twin' or 'paired,' referring to the matched rings that pivot together. The paired-ring image helps explain why a gimbal needs at least two axes working together to isolate the object inside from outside motion.
Why Pilots Care
The gimbal system keeps the gyro rotor axis stable so the instrument continues to show correct attitude or heading even while the aircraft banks or pitches.
Analogy
A gimbal is like a camera stabilizer: the outside support can move, while the mounted item is still free to stay smooth and steady.
Intuition Check
Do not think of the gimbal as the whole instrument or the spinning part inside it. The gimbal is the support that lets the mounted part move freely.
Example Sentence 1
The attitude indicator's gyro is mounted in a gimbal so the instrument keeps showing level flight even as the aircraft banks.
Example Sentence 2
During overhaul the technician inspected the gimbal bearings for play that could affect instrument accuracy.