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

Untreated stainless steel can be a magnet for fingerprints and smudges, but this trash can is made of fingerprint-proof, brushed stainless steel. —Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024

Opt for toys without small pieces, loose magnets, and button batteries, as those all pose a choking hazard or can cause life-threatening injuries if ingested. —Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

After Texas, Florida is the second state with the highest number of notices to appear in the current fiscal year, highlighting that the state continues to be a magnet for immigrants. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024

The machine’s various components would push the frontiers of magnet technology, Gourlay says. —Byadrian Cho, science.org, 28 Mar. 2024

While some students will find alternative means to get to their schools if magnet transportation ends, research has shown transportation is an integral part of achieving socioeconomic diversity within magnets. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024

In addition to London, there’s the Bologna children’s book fair in Italy next month — a magnet for book scouts from Disney and other animation companies — and the historic Frankfurt market in Germany, which is considered more international, every fall. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024

All of my charging cables look the same, get tangled up with each other, and magnet onto each other's ends. —Lauren Mazzo, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024

Chef Rachelle Boucher, once George Lucas’ private chef and now with the Bay Area’s Building Decarbonization Coalition, became a superfan of induction stoves ( cooking with magnets, not flames ) after switching off the gas all but ended her husband’s asthma attacks. —Edward Humes, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024

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

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

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