Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

diamagnetism

American  
[dahy-uh-mag-ni-tiz-uhm] / ˌdaɪ əˈmag nɪ tɪz əm /

noun

  1. Physics. the characteristic properties of diamagnetic substances that cause them to be weakly repelled by a magnetic field; the science of such phenomena.


diamagnetism British  
/ ˌdaɪəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm /

noun

  1. the phenomenon exhibited by substances that have a relative permeability less than unity and a negative susceptibility. It is caused by the orbital motion of electrons in the atoms of the material and is unaffected by temperature Compare ferromagnetism paramagnetism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

diamagnetism Scientific  
/ dī′ə-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm /
  1. The property of being repelled by both poles of a magnet. Most substances commonly considered to be nonmagnetic, such as water, are actually diamagnetic. Though diamagnetism is a very weak effect compared with ferromagnetism and paramagnetism, it can be used to levitate objects.

  2. Compare ferromagnetism paramagnetism See also Lenz's law


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Although other types of magnetism, such as diamagnetism and paramagnetism have been categorised, these describe specific responses to externally applied magnetic fields rather than spontaneous magnetic orderings in materials.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 14, 2024

A Nobel Prize–winning physicist, Landau significantly advanced quantum mechanics with his theories of diamagnetism, superfluidity, and superconductivity.

From Slate ● Nov. 19, 2011

In science, I would ask, is "diamagnetism" correctly explained by terming it "the property of any substance whereby it turns itself, when freely suspended, at right angles to the magnetic meridian."

From Notes and Queries, Number 70, March 1, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell

But the most rigid proof, a proof admitted to be conclusive by those who have denied the antithesis of magnetism and diamagnetism, remains to be stated.

From Fragments of science, V. 1-2 by John Tyndall

At the last lecture we attended he showed the diamagnetism of flame, which had been proved by a foreign philosopher.

From Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, of Mary Somerville by Mary Somerville

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training