magnetite

noun

mag·​ne·​tite ˈmag-nə-ˌtīt How to pronounce magnetite (audio)
: a black isometric mineral of the spinel group that is an oxide of iron and an important iron ore

Examples of magnetite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many of the particles, such as magnetite, are magnetic. Molly O'Brien, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2024 The discharge anecdotally appears to deepen in color over the course of the summer, and historical accounts describe a yellowish-orange color to the outflow fan that has been attributed to goethite or magnetite. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023 But previous reports show that magnetite subjected only to Earth’s natural magnetic field can still cause an initial, though smaller, bias toward one form of a chiral molecule. Byrobert F. Service, science.org, 13 June 2023 Jesuit church ruins from the 17th century, like the São Miguel das Missões, were built with clay bricks that contain magnetite, which realigned with earth's magnetic field when it was fired in kilns. Andrew Jenner, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2016 The atmosphere could have also fueled chemical reactions with the surface rocks, offering an explanation for the presence of magnetite in lunar rocks brought back to Earth, a mineral that requires concentrations of oxygen not normally found on the moon. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2017 Early iron compass needles were magnetized by lodestone or magnetite minerals pulled from Earth. Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023 The rocky planets all share minerals like olivine, feldspar, pyroxene and magnetite, but only this blue-green world has abundant hornblende, biotite, muscovite … and all those clays — all minerals that require water in their structure. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2019 Australia produces a higher amount of hematite iron ore than any other country, which contains a larger quantity of usable iron than itabirite or magnetite. Ben Westcott, CNN, 6 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magnetite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnetite was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near magnetite

Cite this Entry

“Magnetite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetite. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

magnetite

noun
mag·​ne·​tite ˈmag-nə-ˌtīt How to pronounce magnetite (audio)
: a black mineral that is an oxide of iron, is strongly attracted by a magnet, and is an important iron ore

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