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
• draw
• lodestone
• loadstone

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

Apple’s Magic Keyboard uses strong magnets to keep your iPad propped up. —Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 15 Apr. 2024

And those motors typically have 1.5 kilograms of magnet material. —IEEE Spectrum, 15 Apr. 2024

Garland, on Milwaukee's far south side, has become a sort of magnet for immigrant and refugee students. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

The vehicle is driven by identical permanently excited synchronous magnet e-motors mounted at the front and rear axles to deliver all-wheel drive. —Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024

Arizona and Nevada are also magnets for private equity and corporate landlords. —Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

Over in Gustavia—the main town center—La Petite Plage is the buzziest restaurant to open since Bonito became a celebrity magnet over a decade ago. —Amy Louise Bailey, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024

Notorious ball magnet Danny Jansen has already been hit by a pitch and the season hasn’t even started yet. —Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024

Untreated stainless steel can be a magnet for fingerprints and smudges, but this trash can is made of fingerprint-proof, brushed stainless steel. —Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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