paleomagnetism

noun

pa·​leo·​mag·​ne·​tism ˌpā-lē-ō-ˈmag-nə-ˌti-zəm 

especially British ˌpa-

1

: the intensity and direction of residual magnetization in ancient rocks

2

: a science that deals with paleomagnetism

paleomagnetic

ˌpā-lē-ō-mag-ˈne-tik 

adjective

paleomagnetically

ˌpā-lē-ō-mag-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

paleomagnetist

ˌpā-lē-ō-ˈmag-nə-tist 

noun

Examples of paleomagnetism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For their study, Fu and his colleagues harnessed a phenomenon called paleomagnetism. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026

Both faculty at Kent State University, Anne Jefferson studies water, especially in urban environments while Chris Rowan works on paleomagnetism and tectonics. — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2017

Paleontologists still commonly use biostratigraphy to date fossils, often in combination with paleomagnetism and tephrochronology. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016

Word History

Etymology

paleo- + magnetism

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paleomagnetism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism
• astigmatism