magnetic storm

See synonyms for magnetic storm on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a temporary disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, induced by radiation and streams of charged particles from the sun.

Origin of magnetic storm

1
First recorded in 1855–60

Words Nearby magnetic storm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use magnetic storm in a sentence

  • In most cases when such a "magnetic storm" occurs, there is an unusually large or active spot on the Sun.

    The Science of the Stars | E. Walter Maunder
  • Thus in February 1892, when a very large spot was on the Sun, a violent magnetic storm broke out.

    The Science of the Stars | E. Walter Maunder
  • There was a magnetic storm in the photosphere of a sun which was not supposed to have such things.

    Talents, Incorporated | William Fitzgerald Jenkins
  • At first a favorite theory was, that communication had been interrupted by a magnetic storm.

    The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph | Henry M. (Henry Martyn) Field
  • This magnetic storm affected every telegraphic station in the kingdom.

    The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph | Henry M. (Henry Martyn) Field

British Dictionary definitions for magnetic storm

magnetic storm

noun
  1. a sudden severe disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, caused by emission of charged particles from the sun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for magnetic storm

magnetic storm

  1. A disturbance or fluctuation in the Earth's outer magnetosphere, usually caused by streams of charged particles (plasma) given off by solar flares. The entry of large amounts of plasma into the upper atmosphere results in intense auroral displays and other magnetic phenomena in the polar regions of the Earth. See also aurora.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for magnetic storm

magnetic storm

The effect on the ionosphere of large bursts of charged particles (see electrical charge) from the sun.

Notes for magnetic storm

During a magnetic storm, radio reception can become very difficult.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.