magnetic mine

noun

, Navy.

1. an underwater mine set off by any disturbance of its magnetic field, as by the metal hull of a ship.

magnetic mine

noun

1. a mine designed to activate when a magnetic field such as that generated by the metal of a ship's hull is detected

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnetic mine¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Honeymooners spy for the British in 1939 Germany to learn more about the Nazis’ new magnetic mine.

From Los Angeles Times

A source told the news agency that the blast on Front Altair could have been a magnetic mine.

From Fox News

One source said the blast on the Front Altair, which caught fire and sent a huge plume of smoke into the air, may have been caused by a magnetic mine.

From Reuters

Shortly after Pompeo spoke in Washington, senior U.S. officials showed photographs to reporters of the damaged tanker Courageous with what the Navy identified as a suspected magnetic mine attached to its hull.

From Washington Post

One shipping broker said there had been an explosion “suspected from an outside attack” that may have involved a magnetic mine on the Kokuka.

From Reuters

Related Words

• booby trap
• mine