magnetism

noun

mag·​ne·​tism ˈmag-nə-ˌti-zəm 

1

a

: a class of physical phenomena that include the attraction for iron observed in lodestone and a magnet, are inseparably associated with moving electricity, are exhibited by both magnets and electric currents, and are characterized by fields of force

b

: a science that deals with magnetic phenomena

2

: an ability to attract or charm

Synonyms

• allure
• animal magnetism
• appeal
• attractiveness
• captivation
• charisma
• charm
• duende
• enchantment
• fascination
• force field
• glamour
• glamor
• magic
• oomph
• pizzazz
• pizazz
• seductiveness
• witchery

Examples of magnetism in a Sentence

Much of his success as a politician can be attributed to his personal magnetism.

she managed to win the election by sheer magnetism

Recent Examples on the Web

Lichtman awards Trump just four keys, including ones for Harris’s lack of magnetism and a big foreign policy failure, specifically the warfare engulfing Israel, Lebanon, and Iran. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024

His protagonist is a Chinese American playwright called DHH, here given improbable levels of movie-star magnetism by Daniel Dae Kim. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024

In this process, there is a hidden hand at play: magnetism. —Jay Bennett, WIRED, 28 July 2024

Hopfield was a pioneer in using models from physics, especially those developed to study magnetism, to understand the dynamics of recurrent neural networks. —Ambuj Tewari, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing magnetism

• animal magnetism

Kids Definition

magnetism

noun

mag·​ne·​tism ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm 

1

a

: the property of attracting certain metals or producing a magnetic field as shown by a magnet, a magnetized material, or a conductor carrying an electric current

b

: the science that deals with magnetic occurrences or conditions

2

: the power to attract or charm others

Medical Definition

magnetism

noun

mag·​ne·​tism ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm 

: a class of physical phenomena that include the attraction for iron observed in lodestone and a magnet, are inseparably associated with moving electricity, are exhibited by both magnets and electric currents, and are characterized by fields of force