electromagnetism

noun

elec·​tro·​mag·​ne·​tism i-ˌlek-trō-ˈmag-nə-ˌti-zəm 

1

: magnetism developed by a current of electricity

2

a

: a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions between charged particles which occur because of their charge and for the emission and absorption of photons, that is about a hundredth the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over atomic and molecular distances

called also electromagnetic force

compare gravity sense 3a(2), strong force, weak force

b

: a branch of physical science that deals with the physical relations between electricity and magnetism

Examples of electromagnetism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Understanding that light has a finite speed and linking it to the larger realm of electromagnetism helped secure the spacetime distance scale that is a foundation of contemporary cosmology. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

But the Standard Model doesn’t have that equivalent of the photon for electromagnetism. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025

His dream was to find a single set of equations that could describe both gravity and electromagnetism. —Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2025

The field didn’t just interact with electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force. —Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for electromagnetism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism

Kids Definition

electromagnetism

noun

elec·​tro·​mag·​ne·​tism i-ˌlek-trō-ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm 

1

: magnetism developed by a current of electricity

2

: a natural force arising from interactions between charged particles

Medical Definition

electromagnetism

noun

elec·​tro·​mag·​ne·​tism i-ˌlek-trō-ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm 

1

: magnetism developed by a current of electricity

2

: physics dealing with the relations between electricity and magnetism