magnetic declination

Save This Word!

noun

the angle that a compass needle makes with the direction of the geographical north pole at any given point on the earth's surfaceAlso called: declination, magnetic variation

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby magnetic declination

magnetic concentration, magnetic confinement, magnetic constant, magnetic core, magnetic course, magnetic declination, magnetic dip, magnetic dipole, magnetic dipole moment, magnetic disk, magnetic domain

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

How to use magnetic declination in a sentence

Webb at once proceeded to take full magnetic declination, time and azimuth observations, Laseron recording for him.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
In 1851 Lament, a Scotchman at Munich, found a decennial period in the daily range of magnetic declination.
History of Astronomy|George Forbes
This magnetic declination sorely perplexed Gilbert, as it did not fit in with his theory.
Makers of Electricity|Brother Potamian
Shortly after the voyage of Columbus it was thought that the longitude of a place could be found from its magnetic declination.
Makers of Electricity|Brother Potamian

A time-shot was successful, and observations were also taken for magnetic declination.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson

Scientific definitions for magnetic declination

magnetic declination

The horizontal angle between the true geographic North Pole and the magnetic north pole, as figured from a specific point on the Earth. Compare magnetic inclination.