MAGNETIC ATTRACTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does magnetic attraction mean? 

• MAGNETIC ATTRACTION (noun)
  The noun MAGNETIC ATTRACTION has 1 sense:

1. attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets; characterized by fields of force

  Familiarity information: MAGNETIC ATTRACTION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MAGNETIC ATTRACTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets; characterized by fields of force

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Synonyms:

magnetic attraction; magnetic force; magnetism

Hypernyms ("magnetic attraction" is a kind of...):

attraction; attractive force (the force by which one object attracts another)

Attribute:

attractive (having the properties of a magnet; the ability to draw or pull)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "magnetic attraction"):

electromagnetism (magnetism produced by an electric current)

antiferromagnetism (magnetic field creates parallel but opposing spins; varies with temperature)

diamagnetism (phenomenon exhibited by materials like copper or bismuth that become magnetized in a magnetic field with a polarity opposite to the magnetic force; unlike iron they are slightly repelled by a magnet)

ferromagnetism (phenomenon exhibited by materials like iron (nickel or cobalt) that become magnetized in a magnetic field and retain their magnetism when the field is removed)

paramagnetism (materials like aluminum or platinum become magnetized in a magnetic field but it disappears when the field is removed)

 Context examples 

The material is a mixture of two types of magnetic particles: one for inductive heat, and one with strong magnetic attraction and shape-memory polymers to help lock various shape changes into place.

(Tiny magnetic particles enable new material to bend, twist and grab, National Science Foundation)