magnetic needle

noun

1. a slender magnetized steel rod that, when adjusted to swing in a horizontal plane, as in a compass, indicates the direction of the earth's magnetic fields or the approximate position of north and south.

magnetic needle

noun

1. a slender magnetized rod used in certain instruments, such as the magnetic compass, for indicating the direction of a magnetic field

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnetic needle¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

After analyzing the field strength frozen in the tiny magnetic needles, they found that its intensity had already jumped to 70% of present values, they reported at the AGU meeting.

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The researchers looked at samples of plagioclase and clinopyroxene from eastern Quebec, Canada and found that they contain magnetic needles approximately 50 to 100 nanometers in size, surprising the researchers.

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Finding the magnetoreceptors responsible for triggering these neurons has been like looking for a magnetic needle in a haystack.

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On this as on the previous voyage, Hudson made some observations on the inclination or “dip” of the magnetic needle, and he is probably the first Englishman who had done so.

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Faraday showed that a rotating disk of non-magnetic metal would draw after it in similar rotation a magnetic needle suspended over it, and even a heavy magnet.

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