permanent magnet

noun

: a magnet that retains its magnetism after removal of the magnetizing force

Examples of permanent magnet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rare earth permanent magnets are essential components in electric motors, industrial machinery, defense systems, robotics and other advanced technologies. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 While the ban primarily focuses on full robots, American manufacturers still heavily rely on Chinese components, particularly permanent magnets, where China holds a 90% market share. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for permanent magnet

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of permanent magnet was in 1882

Rhymes for permanent magnet

See All Rhymes for permanent magnet

Browse Nearby Words

permanently
permanent magnet
permanent magnetism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permanent magnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permanent%20magnet. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

permanent magnet

noun
: a magnet that retains its magnetism after removal of the magnetizing force

More from Merriam-Webster on permanent magnet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about permanent magnet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All