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

The investor group is led by Amit Bhatia, who is married to a daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, and has taken a stake of more than 30% in the 20-time English champion, according to Sky News. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

The house sits within the original boundaries of railroad magnate and real estate developer Henry Huntington’s former estate, while the former home of Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler is just a few doors away. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026

Palazzo Roma is one especially opulent jewel in the crown of the Shedir Collection, one of Italy’s most visionary hotel groups, cofounded in 2018 by real estate magnate Eduardo Safdie. — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The move came as part of an action against shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, who was a former advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 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)