lodestone

American  

[lohd-stohn] / ˈloʊdˌstoʊn /

Or loadstone

noun

1. a variety of magnetite that possesses magnetic polarity and attracts iron.

2. a piece of this serving as a magnet.

3. something that attracts strongly.

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lodestone British  

/ ˈləʊdˌstəʊn /

noun

1. 1. a rock that consists of pure or nearly pure magnetite and thus is naturally magnetic

   2. a piece of such rock, which can be used as a magnet and which was formerly used as a primitive compass

2. a person or thing regarded as a focus of attraction

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lodestone Scientific  

/ lōd′stōn′ /

1. A piece of the mineral magnetite that acts like a magnet.

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Etymology

Origin of lodestone

1505–15; lode (in obsolete sense “way, course”) + stone

Example Sentences

Not everyone will agree that establishing this new moral compact should be our party’s lodestone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Putting R-Star into practice as a lodestone for policy has never been easy.

From Reuters • May 2, 2023

Provincial leaders throughout November declared their commitment to “zero Covid,” often citing Mr. Xi as their lodestone.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2022

“The lodestone in American politics right now … is the Hispanic vote,” Reed said.

From Washington Post • May 10, 2022

“Learn from Hamlet’s example that madness, like a lodestone, draws danger to itself!” he said as loudly as he dared in our secret room.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein