magnet

¹

[mag-nit]

noun

1. a body, as a piece of iron or steel, that possesses the property of attracting certain substances, as iron.

2. a lodestone.

3. a thing or person that attracts.

   The park was a magnet for pickpockets and muggers.

magnet-

²

1. variant of magneto- before some vowels.

   magneton.

magnet

/ ˈmæɡnɪt /

noun

1. a body that can attract certain substances, such as iron or steel, as a result of a magnetic field; a piece of ferromagnetic substance See also electromagnet

2. a person or thing that exerts a great attraction

magnet

1. A material or object that produces a magnetic field. Lodestones are natural magnets, though many materials, especially metals, can be made into magnets by exposing them to a magnetic field.

2. See also electromagnet ferromagnetism magnetic pole See Note at magnetism

magnet

1. An object that attracts iron and some other materials. Magnets are said to generate a magnetic field around themselves. Every magnet has two poles, called the north and south poles. Magnetic poles exert forces on each other in such a way that like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other. A compass is a small magnet that is affected by the magnetic field of the Earth in such a way that it points to a magnetic pole of the Earth. (See magnetic field and magnetism.)

Other Word Forms

• countermagnet noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnet¹

1400–50; late Middle English magnete < Latin magnēta < Greek mágnēta, accusative of mágnēs, short for ( hē ) Mágnēs ( líthos ) (the stone) of Magnesia

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnet¹

C15: via Latin from Greek magnēs, shortened from ho Magnēs lithos the Magnesian stone. See _magnesia

Example Sentences

Madden Williams has hands that act like a magnet whenever a ball is near.

From Los Angeles Times

His pliant nature makes him a bullying magnet, including by Rain’s friends.

From Salon

The Reform leader is proving a powerful magnet that is attracting discontented voters into his party's camp.

From BBC

Political opponents and some European leaders felt the words acted as a magnet for asylum seekers to the EU.

From BBC

“It’s not just a theater — it’s a magnet. It will bring people here during the day, into the evenings, and make this district a true cultural destination.”

From Los Angeles Times