permanent magnet

American  

noun

1. a magnet that retains its magnetism after being removed from an external magnetic field.

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permanent magnet British  

noun

1. a magnet, often of steel, that retains its magnetization after the magnetic field producing it has been removed

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permanent magnet Scientific  

/ pûr′mə-nənt /

1. A piece of ferromagnetic material that retains its magnetism after it has been magnetized.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• permanent magnetism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of permanent magnet

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Despite the large number of known magnetic compounds, no entirely new permanent magnet has been identified from this pool.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

The problem: Even at the new factory’s initial planned capacity of 2,000 metric tons of permanent magnet material, the plant will produce a fraction of what analysts estimate European manufacturers need.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

And, at present, China massively dominates global permanent magnet production, with more than 90% market share, external.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2024

Tesla initially used induction motors without rare earth permanent magnets, but switched to a permanent magnet motor for the mass-market Model 3 in 2017.

From Reuters • Nov. 14, 2023

Cover the permanent magnet with the cardboard or paper.

From Electricity for the 4-H Scientist Idaho Agricultural Extension Service Bulletin 396, June, 1962 by Wilson, Eric B.