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

The thrusters were mounted on opposite sides of a CubeSat positioned on a custom magnetic levitation test platform known as the MagLev.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

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

Some of the most exciting and promising clean tech — like magnetic levitation trains and other low-cost, high-speed transportation — could finally be viable for mass development with superconductor use.

From Salon • Aug. 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

“Tally, hoverboards work on magnetic levitation, right? So there’s got to be some kind of metal around or they don’t hover.”

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld