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 of magnet

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

Before its launch, the magnet was projected to be 20% to 25% more expensive to run than a standard school of its size, with an annual budget of about $7 million, of which $2 million to $3 million would come from the program’s Hollywood partners. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Half the magnet mass at nearly 93% efficiency Higher motor speeds make noise and vibration harder to control. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026

The short, prickly needles make junipers unattractive to deer, unlike, for example, deer-magnet arborvitaes. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

The tape is wound into coils to form powerful magnets that confine and control the heated plasma inside the stellarator. — Ian King, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

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