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

/ măg′nĭt /

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 electromagnetSee 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

• counter·magnet 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

China has now also imposed export controls on a range of critical rare earth minerals and magnets, dealing a major blow to the US.

From BBC

It’s clear the California Legislature encourages school choice and there are so many permits, magnet programs, charter schools and schools offering online courses that transfers are likely to keep growing.

From Los Angeles Times

That morning, Ayon said, several vendors that supply mugs, chocolates, plates, magnets and other knickknacks to the store told him that they would hike prices as much as 30%.

From Los Angeles Times

A player who rarely does anything conventionally and is a magnet for drama.

From BBC

The run-down estate has in recent years become a magnet for urban explorers and photographers, forcing the authorities to step up security patrols and issue danger warnings.

From BBC