magnetite

American  

[mag-ni-tahyt] / ˈmæg nɪˌtaɪt /

noun

1. a very common black iron oxide mineral, Fe 3 O 4 , that is strongly attracted by magnets: an important iron ore.

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magnetite British  

/ ˈmæɡnɪˌtaɪt, ˌmæɡnɪˈtɪtɪk /

noun

1. a black magnetic mineral, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and as a separate deposit. It is a source of iron. Composition: iron oxide. Formula: Fe 3 O 4 . Crystal structure: cubic

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magnetite Scientific  

/ măg′nĭ-tīt′ /

1. A brown to black mineral that is strongly magnetic. It crystallizes in the cubic system and commonly occurs as small octahedrons. Magnetite occurs in many different types of rock and is an important source of iron. Chemical formula: Fe ₃ O ₄ .

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Other Word Forms

• magnetitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of magnetite

1850–55; magnet + -ite ¹; compare German Magnetit

Example Sentences

The other involves small magnetite crystals within the body that shift in response to magnetic forces, which would allow the animal to feel the field.

From Science Daily • Nov. 22, 2025

In addition to ferrihydrite the researchers used various quantities of iron oxide phases like magnetite, hematite, feroxyhyte and schwertmannite.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2025

"The micrometeorite collisions trigger chemical reactions on magnetite and lead to the formation of the iron nitride."

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2023

The magnetite can catalyze subsequent hydrogen-producing reactions with the olivine, explains Alexis Templeton, a geochemist at the University of Colorado Boulder who plans to apply to the program.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 7, 2023

Some of the last were concave mirrors made from beautifully polished magnetite.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann