ˈmagnə̇t, ˈmaig-, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English magnete, from Middle French, from Latin magnet-, magnes, from Greek Magnēs (lithos), Magnētis ( lithos ), literally, stone of Magnesia, ancient city in Asia Minor
1.
a. : a variety or a piece of magnetite or magnetic iron ore having naturally the property of attracting iron : lodestone — called also natural magnet
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, that usually has two poles of opposite nature situated near its ends so that when brought close to a similar body the unlike poles attract each other while the like poles repel each other, and that in the form of a bar or needle (as a compass needle) suspended so that it may rotate freely around a vertical axis assumes a direction nearly north and south — compare bar magnet , electromagnet , field magnet , north pole , south pole
2. : something that attracts
this new steel plant has also acted as a magnet in attracting … new industrial development to the region — J.L.Street b. 1902
the pot-bellied stove is a magnet for the tellers of tall stories — American Guide Series: New Hampshire