magnet

noun mag·net \ˈmag-nət\

: a piece of material (such as iron or steel) that is able to attract certain metals

: something or someone that attracts people or things

Full Definition of MAGNET

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

: something that attracts <a box-office magnet>

See magnet defined for English-language learners

See magnet defined for kids

Origin of MAGNET

Middle English magnete, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnet-, magnes, from Greek magnēs (lithos), literally, stone of Magnesia, ancient city in Asia Minor

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MAGNET

Synonyms: attraction, draw, lodestone (also loadstone)

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

MAGNET Defined for Kids

magnet

noun mag·net \ˈmag-nət\

Definition of MAGNET for Kids

: a piece of material (as of iron, steel, or alloy) that is able to attract iron

Medical Dictionary

magnet

noun mag·net \ˈmag-nət\

Medical Definition of MAGNET

: 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