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• magneto
  magneto

  noun

  a small electric generator with an armature that rotates in a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets, as a generator supplying ignition current for certain types of internal combustion engines or a hand-operated generator for telephone signaling.
• magneto-
  magneto-

  a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words.

magneto

¹ American  

[mag-nee-toh] / mægˈni toʊ /

noun

Electricity.

plural

magnetos

1. a small electric generator with an armature that rotates in a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets, as a generator supplying ignition current for certain types of internal combustion engines or a hand-operated generator for telephone signaling.

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magneto- ² American  

1. a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words.

   magnetochemistry.

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magneto ¹ British  

/ mæɡˈniːtəʊ /

noun

1. a small electric generator in which the magnetic field is produced by a permanent magnet, esp one for providing the spark in an internal-combustion engine

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magneto- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating magnetism or magnetic properties

   magnetosphere

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Etymology

Origin of magneto

First recorded in 1880–85; short for magnetoelectric generator

Example Sentences

Sir Ian has not appeared as Magneto since 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2025

He is also a fixture of the silver screen, including his roles as Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies, as well as Magneto in the “X-Men” series.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2024

Magneto, a Holocaust survivor who is often the X-Men’s adversary, doesn’t believe humanity is capable of accepting mutants.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

With no Magneto in the universe, the twins are test subjects for Hydra's Baron Wolfgang von Strucker.

From Salon • Jul. 11, 2022

"Yeah, but it's usually about, like, Magneto or something."

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell