solenoid

American  

[soh-luh-noid, sol-uh-] / ˈsoʊ ləˌnɔɪd, ˈsɒl ə- /

noun

1. Electricity. an electric conductor wound as a helix with small pitch, or as two or more coaxial helices, so that current through the conductor establishes a magnetic field within the conductor.

2. Also called solenoid switch.  a switch controlled by such an arrangement, in which a metal rod moves when the current is turned on: used in automotive starting systems.

3. Meteorology. a space formed by the intersection of isobaric and isosteric surfaces.

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solenoid British  

/ ˈsəʊlɪˌnɔɪd /

noun

1. a coil of wire, usually cylindrical, in which a magnetic field is set up by passing a current through it

2. a coil of wire, partially surrounding an iron core, that is made to move inside the coil by the magnetic field set up by a current: used to convert electrical to mechanical energy, as in the operation of a switch

3. such a device used as a relay, as in a motor vehicle for connecting the battery directly to the starter motor when activated by the ignition switch

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solenoid Scientific  

/ sō′lə-noid′ /

1. A coil of wire that acts as an electromagnet when electric current is passed through it, often used to control the motion of metal objects, such as the switch of a relay.

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Other Word Forms

• solenoidal adjective
• solenoidally adverb

Etymology

Origin of solenoid

1825–35; < French solénoïde < Greek sōlḗn pipe, channel + French -oïde -oid

Example Sentences

CMS uses a solenoid, a ring-shaped magnet, to bend the path of charged particles such as muons.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2022

The central solenoid is just one of 12 large U.S. contributions to ITER, each of which is built by American companies, with funds allocated by Congress going toward U.S. jobs.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2021

Washing machines, dishwashers and ice makers are especially prone to water hammer, because they have solenoid switches that instantly turn off the water instead of the gradual closing that happens with a faucet.

From Washington Post • Sep. 18, 2020

Rewards were delivered using a solenoid valve, and a blue LED was placed 2 cm above the lick-tube.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

The solenoid kicked in immediately; the engine stuttered once and then began to idle roughly, rattling frantically beneath the floorboards.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson