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 Words From

• 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

In 2003, during his previous stint with the LAPD, McDonnell helped clean up the park, but he concedes it’s in “pretty desperate straits” today, calling it “a magnet for activity that has been detrimental to the neighborhood.”

From Los Angeles Times

That belly dancer in my 9th grade history class in 1982 at my L.A. magnet?

From Los Angeles Times

These days Labubu is the must-have character, with her merch universe ranging from an $8.99 fridge magnet to a “Mega 1000%” — a giant 31-inch plastic figurine that sells for $959.90.

From Los Angeles Times

The sandlot-like multipurpose field for SOCES, a public magnet school in the San Fernando Valley, is home to its football team.

From Los Angeles Times

Then acknowledge their enthusiasm by tucking this 3¼-inch-by-2-inch magnet into the toe of their stocking.

From Los Angeles Times