magnetic north

American  

noun

1. north as indicated by a magnetic compass, differing in most places from true north.

---

magnetic north British  

noun

1. the direction in which a compass needle points, at an angle (the declination) from the direction of true (geographic) north

---

magnetic north Scientific  

1. The direction toward which the north-seeking arrow of a compass points.

2. ◆ The magnetic north pole is the northern pole of the Earth's magnetic field and changes slightly in response to variations in the Earth's magnetism. The current magnetic north pole is located in the Arctic Islands of Canada.

3. Compare geographic north

---

magnetic north Cultural  

1. The direction of the north magnetic pole.

---

Etymology

Origin of magnetic north

First recorded in 1805–15

Compare meaning

How does magnetic-north compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• true north vs. magnetic north

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

magnetic north

“The purpose and the way we set the magnetic north of the organization is massively important to me,” said Lewis, who dedicated much of the day to strategic changes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

In recent decades, researchers have also observed a rapid shift of the magnetic north pole toward the geographic north pole.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2025

Scientists know that the Sun has a quiet period when the magnetic fields are ordered, with our star having a fixed magnetic north and south pole.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2025

In Washington, magnetic north now points 15 degrees east.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 17, 2023

The trouble began as he approached Earth’s magnetic north pole.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin