magnate

noun

mag·​nate ˈmag-ˌnāt 

-nət

: a person of rank, power, influence, or distinction often in a specified area

a railroad magnate

Synonyms of magnate

• tycoon
• baron
• king

Examples of magnate in a Sentence

a studio magnate who had the biggest stars in Hollywood at his beck and call

Recent Examples on the Web

Jolie balked at the term and struck a $64 million deal with the billionaire alcohol magnate, Yuri Shefler. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026

The verdict cleared a legal cloud hanging over OpenAI's restructuring right as both magnates were steering their companies toward the public market. — Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Their paths continue together into adulthood in Silicon Valley, when Cecily marries a tech industry magnate and Sam, a doctor, weds a famed social media founder. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

One of the previous proposals was a 12-story project proposed by San Diego hotel magnate and onetime San Diego Union-Tribune owner Doug Manchester. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English magnates, plural, from Late Latin, from Latin magnus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for magnate

• magnet
• electromagnet
• ferromagnet

Kids Definition

magnate

noun

mag·​nate ˈmag-ˌnāt 

-nət

: a person of rank, power, or influence (as in an industry)