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

Challenging the century-old physics rule The findings, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, challenge the traditional understanding of the Faraday Effect, a foundational principle in electromagnetism discovered by Michael Faraday in 1845. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025

They can be used to test electromagnetism, particle physics and Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

This was Maxwell’s (classical) theory for electromagnetism, putting the previously distinct notions of electricity and magnetism together into a unified footing. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025

Since induction cooking uses electromagnetism to generate heat, the cookware used with the appliance must also have magnetic properties. —Alice Knisley Matthias, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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