magnetite

American  

[mag-ni-tahyt] / ˈmæg nɪˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a very common black iron oxide mineral, Fe 3 O 4 , that is strongly attracted by magnets: an important iron ore.

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magnetite British  

/ ˈmæɡnɪˌtaɪt, ˌmæɡnɪˈtɪtɪk /

noun

1. a black magnetic mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and as a separate deposit. It is a source of iron. Composition: iron oxide. Formula: Fe 3 O 4 . Crystal structure: cubic

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magnetite Scientific  

/ măg′nĭ-tīt′ /

1. A brown to black mineral that is strongly magnetic. It crystallizes in the cubic system and commonly occurs as small octahedrons. Magnetite occurs in many different types of rock and is an important source of iron. Chemical formula: Fe ₃ O ₄ .

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• magnetitic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of magnetite

1850–55; magnet + -ite ¹; compare German Magnetit

Example Sentences

Magnetite particles should be included in the recommended safety threshold for air quality index, and increased measures to reduce vehicle and coal-fired power station emissions are also needed.

From Science Daily • Feb. 29, 2024

Fortescue added capital estimate for the Iron Bridge Magnetite project in Western Australia has been revised to $3.6 billion to $3.8 billion, up from a prior estimate of $3.3 billion to $3.5 billion.

From Reuters • Apr. 27, 2022

Magnetite is a common enough mineral, but the grains inside the globules were very unusual.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2020

Magnetite, like a compass needle, responds to a field’s direction, whereas cryptochrome would respond identically to fields with opposite polarity.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 18, 2019

Magnetite, hematite, and other iron ores occur in great abundance, and the coal-measures are among the most extensive in the world.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various