magnetic moment

noun

: a vector quantity that is a measure of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (such as a bar magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and that for a magnet is the product of the distance between its poles and the strength of either pole

Examples of magnetic moment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The internal magnetic moments align, releasing heat. —Etiido Uko march 23, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026

The reason for this is that, unlike everyday magnets, neighboring magnetic moments in antiferromagnets point in opposite directions and cancel each other out. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026

Choose to indulge in magnetic moments to enjoy creative wins. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2026

This phenomenon, in which particles’ magnetic moments point in alternating directions, was previously viewed as too regular to manifest in the nonrepeating structure of quasicrystals. —Patchen Barss, Quanta Magazine, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for magnetic moment

• enrolment

Medical Definition

magnetic moment

noun

magnetic mo·​ment -ˈmō-mənt 

: a vector quantity that is a measure of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (as a bar magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and that for a magnet is the product of the distance between its poles and the strength of either pole