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

This Gulf Coast city is Florida’s arts capital, with a cultural compound that grew from the fortunes of circus magnate John Ringling. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026

The promise of Kroenke, a multi-sport magnate who has won championships in the NBA, NHL and NFL, provided some of the optimism expressed this week. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

In Pravda, Hopkins plays a reptilian-like newspaper magnate modeled by playwrights David Hare and Howard Brenton on Rupert Murdoch. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

In a California town called Anzar in the late-19th century, Paulette is living with a local magnate’s eccentric son who’s fascinated by the tramps gathering outside his manor. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 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)