magnet

1 of 2

noun

mag·​net ˈmag-nət How to pronounce magnet (audio)
1
a
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

Examples of magnet in a Sentence

Noun the giant theme park is a magnet for tourists to the area
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Their new circumstances mean figuring out the small details of cohabitation like whether to have magnets on the fridge and how to load the dishwasher, and also coincides with Joel furthering his own spiritual journey independent of his partner. Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 This reminds me of the ball run with magnets and large tubes at the science museum. Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 This amplification drives Marantz Gravity drive units, each made with powerful neodymium magnets for accuracy, responsiveness and low levels of distortion. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Rumble has been a magnet for others banned from mainstream social media, including white nationalist Nick Fuentes, whose videos sometimes appear on Rumble’s trending list. David Ingram, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for magnet 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnet was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near magnet

Cite this Entry

“Magnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnet. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

magnet

noun
mag·​net ˈmag-nət How to pronounce magnet (audio)
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 How to pronounce magnet (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on magnet

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