magnetic levitation

American  

noun

1. the suspension of an object above or below a second object by means of magnetic repulsion or attraction.

2. Railroads. the suspension of a vehicle above or below a suitable guide rail by such means, often with the vehicle being propelled by a linear induction motor.

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magnetic levitation Cultural  

1. A process by which a magnet moving over a piece of metal causes electric currents (see also current) to flow in the metal that, in turn, produce forces that push the magnet upward. If the force is large enough, the moving magnet can float (be levitated).

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Magnetic levitation (or maglev) trains are capable of cruising speeds of up to three hundred miles per hour.

Example Sentences

This unique ability makes them extremely valuable for technologies such as efficient power transmission, energy storage, magnetic levitation systems, and quantum computers.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

Additionally, observes Scientific American, superconductors repel magnetic fields, which could lead to more efficient magnetic levitation, or maglev, trains.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2023

I don’t mind the notch, which is as tiny as you can make it, with Huawei even ditching the earpiece for a magnetic levitation approach that vibrates the screen to generate sound.

From The Verge • Apr. 10, 2019

A new system invented and being tested by German elevator producer ThyssenKrupp would get rid of cables altogether and build elevators more like magnetic levitation trains, which are common in Japan and China.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2017

Pirates and Small World were converted to magnetic levitation, and they opened up Grand Canyon Land in the dry moat around Tom Sawyer’s Island.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman