magnetic north

noun

1. north as indicated by a magnetic compass, differing in most places from true north.

magnetic north

noun

1. the direction in which a compass needle points, at an angle (the declination) from the direction of true (geographic) north

magnetic north

1. The direction toward which the north-seeking arrow of a compass points.
2. ◆ The magnetic north pole is the northern pole of the Earth's magnetic field and changes slightly in response to variations in the Earth's magnetism. The current magnetic north pole is located in the Arctic Islands of Canada.
3. Compare geographic north

magnetic north

1. The direction of the north magnetic pole .

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnetic north¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

But, like so many happenings on Earth, these poles are never exactly in the same place and tend to gently shift so that what we picture as the north pole on a map is likely slightly different from where the magnetic north truly is.

From Popular-Science

The variation from the magnetic north is shown on the ground plan, which was made in December, 1890.

From Project Gutenberg

Her perception of the invisible was as sensitive as the needle of a compass to the thrill of the magnetic north.

From Project Gutenberg

The main building is built in the form of a cross, with its chief front to the magnetic north.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the compass needle doesn't point the true north, but only the magnetic north.

From Project Gutenberg

The tendency of the loadstone to point towards the magnetic north and south.

From Project Gutenberg