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

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

The research team revealed that during the HTC process, iron was incorporated to impart magnetic properties to the resulting hydrochar, enabling post-treatment recovery using an external magnet. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025

Earlier this month, China added five rare-earth elements – holmium, erbium, thulium, europium, ytterbium, and related magnets and materials – to its existing control list, requiring export licenses. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

There are also glimpses of Pharrell Williams, who praised Jacobs’ work at Louis Vuitton especially the Takashi Murakami collaboration for being a magnet for others. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025

This quiet stretch of rural Indiana, dotted with grain silos, transmission lines, and the occasional barn, has become a magnet for ambitious infrastructure projects. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025

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

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

Rhymes for magnet

• magnate
• electromagnet
• ferromagnet

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