magnetism

noun

mag·​ne·​tism ˈmag-nə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce magnetism (audio)
1
a
: a class of physical phenomena that include the attraction for iron observed in lodestone and a magnet, are inseparably associated with moving electricity, are exhibited by both magnets and electric currents, and are characterized by fields of force
b
: a science that deals with magnetic phenomena
2
: an ability to attract or charm

Examples of magnetism in a Sentence

Much of his success as a politician can be attributed to his personal magnetism. she managed to win the election by sheer magnetism
Recent Examples on the Web The crew noticed it first, but the magnetism of two characters didn’t slip past Scott Gimple. Anne Easton, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Usher’s magnetism has been well documented over the course of his career. Cady Lang, TIME, 6 Feb. 2024 Safety and security are obviously going to lose in the fight against such fierce romantic magnetism, especially with Mitchum in the mix. Gwen Ihnat, EW.com, 16 Nov. 2023 Take James Clerk Maxwell’s equations showing that electricity and magnetism are two aspects of a single phenomenon, or general relativity’s linking of gravity with a curved space-time. Sheon Han, Quanta Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023 There’s magnetism between them from the start, but Unicorns builds the trust and friendship between them over time. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023 The magnetism of his music has been proven by the enthusiastic reactions to his performances at SXSW 2023 in the U.S. and at Kobe Mellow Cruise 2023, one of the largest hip-hop culture festivals in Japan’s Kansai region. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2024 The result is a painfully self-aware pastiche that fails to capture the acerbic magnetism of the original movie, the campy charm of jukebox musicals, or the real talent of its young cast. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2024 The researchers started by synthesizing a material from monolayers of the semiconductors molybdenum diselenide and tungsten disulfide, which belong to a class of materials that past simulations had implied could exhibit Nagaoka-style magnetism. Michael Greshko, Quanta Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magnetism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnetism was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near magnetism

Cite this Entry

“Magnetism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

magnetism

noun
mag·​ne·​tism ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce magnetism (audio)
1
a
: the property of attracting certain metals or producing a magnetic field as shown by a magnet, a magnetized material, or a conductor carrying an electric current
b
: the science that deals with magnetic occurrences or conditions
2
: the power to attract or charm others

Medical Definition

magnetism

noun
mag·​ne·​tism ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce magnetism (audio)
: a class of physical phenomena that include the attraction for iron observed in lodestone and a magnet, are inseparably associated with moving electricity, are exhibited by both magnets and electric currents, and are characterized by fields of force

More from Merriam-Webster on magnetism

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