magnate

[ mag-neyt, -nit ]

noun

1. a person of great influence, importance, or standing in a particular enterprise, field of business, etc.:

   a railroad magnate.

2. a person of eminence or distinction in any field:

   literary magnates.

3. a member of the former upper house in either the Polish or Hungarian parliament.

magnate

/ ˈmæɡneɪt; -nɪt /

noun

1. a person of power and rank in any sphere, esp in industry
2. history a great nobleman
3. (formerly) a member of the upper chamber in certain European parliaments, as in Hungary

Derived Forms

• ˈmagnateˌship, noun

Other Words From

• magnate·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnate¹

1400–50; back formation from Middle English magnates (plural) < Late Latin magnātēs leading people, equivalent to Latin magn ( us ) magn- + -ātēs, plural of -ās noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnate¹

C15: back formation from earlier magnates from Late Latin: great men, plural of magnās, from Latin magnus great

Example Sentences

Also left unsaid: how many people will assist the two magnates and how that staff will be paid.

From Los Angeles Times

However, there is a twist this time: Trump’s most ardent supporter is electric vehicle magnate Elon Musk.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the top Republican donors are hedge fund operators and investment bankers; natural resource magnates; and others with specific concerns about federal policies that might affect their enterprises.

From Los Angeles Times

Stewart welcomed viewers who may have been tuning into the show from X/Twitter, after watching a rambling and wide-ranging interview between Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk.

From Salon

As the daughter of a real estate magnate, she and her family have spent generously on their political priorities in the past, including Kounalakis’ first lieutenant governor’s race.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aristocrat
• capitalist
• financier
• merchant
• mogul
• tycoon