magnet

1 of 2

noun

mag·​net ˈmag-nət 

1

a

: lodestone

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

Synonyms

Noun

• attraction
• draw
• lodestone
• loadstone

Examples of magnet in a Sentence

Noun

the giant theme park is a magnet for tourists to the area

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are so many open questions for me — how does someone with such strong faith convictions navigate Hollywood and reality celebrity, which are magnets for vice and sin? —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024

The allure of striping a golf ball out of a fairway bunker one minute and then lounging beachside with toes curled in sand and cold beverage in hand the next, has been a magnet pulling golfers to South Carolina’s stretch of sea islands for decades. —Mike Dojc, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

But Santa Monica’s long-standing renown has turned it into a new magnet for upscale hospitality developers. —Chadner Navarro, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024

The underutilized section of the area used to be a garbage dumping site and a magnet for homeless encampments. —Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing magnet

• field magnet
• magnet-fish
• magnet fishing
• magnet school
• permanent magnet
• refrigerator magnet

Kids Definition

magnet

noun

mag·​net ˈmag-nət 

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 

: 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