magnetic pole

noun

1

: either of two small regions which are located respectively in the polar areas of the northern and southern hemispheres and toward which a compass needle points from any direction throughout adjacent regions

also : either of two comparable regions on a celestial body

2

: either of the poles of a magnet

Examples of magnetic pole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For most of the time, auroras are best seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres in Europe, Asia and North America. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

As the star moves out of its calm phase — solar minimum — and reaches the height of the solar cycle, its magnetic poles flip, ushering in solar maximum, when activity is heightened and eruptions become more frequent and intense. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024

The lights are caused by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and particles from the sun that enter the Earth's atmosphere at its magnetic poles. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

This area, called the South Atlantic Anomaly, may be an early sign that Earth's magnetic poles could reverse. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magnetic pole

noun

1

: either of two small regions of the earth which are located near the North and South Poles and toward which a compass needle points

2

: either of the poles of a magnet