magnetic compass
noun
: a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
Examples of magnetic compass in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This aluminum adjustable length walking stick contains a bunch of survival attachments: magnetic compass, spearhead, ice breaker/glass breaker, whistle, bottle opener, harpoon, screwdriver, knife, fire starter, and disgorger.
—
Outside, 3 Dec. 2025
Without the help of an internal magnetic compass, the moths used the stars to orient themselves.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025
The researchers created a magnetic vacuum to disable the creatures’ internal magnetic compass and focus on its other senses.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 18 June 2025
The insects employ a navigation system that includes solar orientation using an internal magnetic compass.
—Chloe Berge, AFAR Media, 14 Mar. 2025
Loggerheads rely on two distinct magnetic systems — a magnetic map for tracking locations and a magnetic compass for orienting direction.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
While not a proper magnetic compass, this neural compass acts as a relative one based on landmarks instead of Earth’s magnetic field.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2023
The magnetic compass, gunpowder, the printing press, the chronometer, the cotton gin, the steam engine and the water wheel are among the many examples.
—Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2020
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Outside, 3 Dec. 2025
Without the help of an internal magnetic compass, the moths used the stars to orient themselves.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025
The researchers created a magnetic vacuum to disable the creatures’ internal magnetic compass and focus on its other senses.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 18 June 2025
The insects employ a navigation system that includes solar orientation using an internal magnetic compass.
—Chloe Berge, AFAR Media, 14 Mar. 2025
Loggerheads rely on two distinct magnetic systems — a magnetic map for tracking locations and a magnetic compass for orienting direction.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
While not a proper magnetic compass, this neural compass acts as a relative one based on landmarks instead of Earth’s magnetic field.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2023
The magnetic compass, gunpowder, the printing press, the chronometer, the cotton gin, the steam engine and the water wheel are among the many examples.
—Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Magnetic compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetic%20compass. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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