magnetic north

American  

noun

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

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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

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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

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magnetic north Cultural  

1. The direction of the north magnetic pole.

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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

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

This can lead to gradual shifts in the intensity and location of Earth’s magnetic north and south poles and even reversals where Earth’s magnetic poles trade places.

From National Geographic • Jul. 3, 2023

He’d spent nearly a year crafting his wickedly funny whodunit screenplay and knew that Daniel Craig would be returning as detective Benoit Blanc, the magnetic north pole of their 2019 hit “Knives Out.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2022

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

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