lodestone

or load·stone

[ lohd-stohn ]

noun

1. a variety of magnetite that possesses magnetic polarity and attracts iron.
2. a piece of this serving as a magnet.
3. something that attracts strongly.

lodestone

/ ˈləʊdˌstəʊn /

noun

1. 1. a rock that consists of pure or nearly pure magnetite and thus is naturally magnetic
   2. a piece of such rock, which can be used as a magnet and which was formerly used as a primitive compass
2. a person or thing regarded as a focus of attraction

lodestone

/ lōd′stōn′ /

1. A piece of the mineral magnetite that acts like a magnet.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lodestone¹

1505–15; lode (in obsolete sense “way, course”) + stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of lodestone¹

C16: literally: guiding stone

Example Sentences

Uber is our lodestone today because it dropped a new SEC filing that includes some notes on its recent performance.

From TechCrunch

He is the lodestone of the offensive structure, and his immense core strength doesn’t just hold off defenders — it also props up the entire Heat’s offensive hierarchy.

From FiveThirtyEight

Beale Street drew them, it has been said, “like a lodestone.”

From The Daily Beast

It was my lodestone, my centering point, my story as a journalist covering Germany and the East Bloc.

From The Daily Beast

It had formed a Chamber of Commerce which entered bravely upon its mission as a lodestone for the attraction of Eastern capital.

From Project Gutenberg

A Greek legend tells us that the lodestone was discovered by Magnes, a shepherd who found his crook attracted by the rock.

From Project Gutenberg

One of their experiments was to float a needle on a piece of cork, and make it follow a lodestone held in the hand.

From Project Gutenberg

For three years he draws me to his parties as a lodestone draws baser metals.

From Project Gutenberg

She used no wiles, practised no arts—her subtle mesmerism was the unseen power of the lodestone.

From Project Gutenberg