magnet

1 of 2

noun

mag·​net ˈmag-nət 

1

a

: lodestone

b

: a body having the property of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field external to itself

specifically : a mass of iron, steel, or alloy that has this property artificially imparted

2

: something that attracts

a box-office magnet

magnet-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or magneto-

1

: magnetic force

magnetometer

2

: magnetism : magnetic

magnetoelectric

magneton

3

: magnetoelectric

magnetoresistance

4

: magnetosphere

magnetopause

Synonyms

Noun

• attraction
• draw
• lodestone
• loadstone

Examples of magnet in a Sentence

Noun

the giant theme park is a magnet for tourists to the area

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Create a system where the neighborhood school effectively competes with the magnets; at the end of the day, Hartford is stronger with strong neighborhood schools than with strong magnet schools. —John Q. Gale, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2025

According to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, the US push for domestic mining and processing is a challenge to China’s dominance over 90 percent of global rare earth ore processing and critical materials like neodymium magnets, which secure its geopolitical leverage. —Michaela Rychetska and Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 13 Feb. 2025

Bethe employed a simplified model of a magnet, known as a spin chain: a single line of atoms, each pointing up or down like its own tiny bar magnet. —Quanta Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025

Rare earths, a group of 17 metals are vital for the manufacture of high-performance magnets, electric motors, missile systems and consumer electronics. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English magnete, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnet-, magnes, from Greek magnēs (lithos), literally, stone of Magnesia, ancient city in Asia Minor

Combining form

Latin magnet-, magnes

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing magnet

• field magnet
• magnet-fish
• magnet fishing
• magnet school
• permanent magnet
• refrigerator magnet

Kids Definition

magnet

noun

mag·​net ˈmag-nət 

1

: a piece of some material (as the mineral iron oxide) that is able to attract iron

especially : a mass of iron or steel so treated that it has this property

2

: something that attracts

the magnet of fame

Medical Definition

magnet

noun

mag·​net ˈmag-nət 

: a body having the property of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field external to itself

specifically : a mass of iron, steel, or alloy that has this property artificially imparted