magnet

/ˈmægnət/

/ˈmægnɪt/

Other forms: magnets

A magnet is a piece of metal with a strong attraction to another metal object. The attraction a magnet produces is called a "magnetic field."

You might cover the front of your refrigerator with magnets, which stick to its metal surface. Other kinds of magnets are even more powerful, strong enough to pick up entire cars, for example. Most magnets are made of iron or an iron alloy, and magnets are at the heart of many common items like cassette tapes, credit cards, toys, and compasses.

Definitions of magnet

1. noun

   (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field
   types:

   bar magnet

   a magnet in the form of a bar with magnetic poles at each end

   electromagnet

   a temporary magnet made by coiling wire around an iron core; when current flows in the coil the iron becomes a magnet

   field magnet

   a magnet that provides a magnetic field in a dynamo or electric motor

   magnetic needle

   a slender magnet suspended in a magnetic compass on a mounting with little friction; used to indicate the direction of the earth's magnetic pole

   paramagnet

   magnet made of a substance whose magnetization is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field applied to it

   permanent magnet, static magnet

   a magnet that retains its magnetism after being removed from a magnetic field

   solenoid

   a coil of wire around an iron core; becomes a magnet when current passes through the coil

   magnetic head

   an electromagnet (as on a tape recorder) that converts electrical variations into magnetic variations that can be stored on a surface and later retrieved

   stud finder

   a small permanent magnet in a metal container; when the magnet clicks against the container it indicates that the magnet is directly over an iron nail that holds the wallboard to a stud

   loadstone, lodestone

   a permanent magnet consisting of magnetite that possess polarity and has the power to attract as well as to be attracted magnetically

   type of:

   device

   an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
2. noun

   a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts
   synonyms: attracter, attraction, attractive feature, attractor

   types:

   attention

   a general interest that leads people to want to know more

   tourist attraction

   a characteristic that attracts tourists

   enhancer, foil

   anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities

   type of:

   characteristic, feature

   a prominent attribute or aspect of something