magneto

[ mag-nee-toh ]

/ mægˈni toʊ /

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noun, plural mag·ne·tos.Electricity.

a small electric generator with an armature that rotates in a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets, as a generator supplying ignition current for certain types of internal combustion engines or a hand-operated generator for telephone signaling.

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Also called magnetoelectric generator, magnetogenerator.

Origin of magneto

First recorded in 1880–85; short for magnetoelectric generator

Other definitions for magneto (2 of 2)

magneto-

a combining form representing magnetic or magnetism in compound words: magnetochemistry.

Also especially before a vowel, magnet-.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use magneto in a sentence

Magneto represents an extreme point of those views so you can sort of isolate them.
The CIA Spook Turned Comic Book Scribe: Robin Grabs a Gun in ‘Grayson’|Rich Goldstein|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Readers unfamiliar with the twins may recognize their father, perennial X-Men villain, Magneto.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was a huge fan of the X-Men comics growing up, and Magneto is great.
‘Kick-Ass 2’ Star Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s Favorite Movie Villains|Christopher Mintz-Plasse|August 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But Michael Fassbender reveals that he did the same thing, when he played Magneto in X-Men: First Class.
George Clooney’s Worst Job? 10 Best Newsweek Oscar Roundtable Bits|Ramin Setoodeh, David Ansen|January 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Bud swore a little and got out more tools and went after the magneto with grim determination.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
Professor Graham Bell had introduced his magneto-electric telephone, but its effect was feeble.
Heroes of the Telegraph|J. Munro
The armature of a practical magneto, therefore, differs materially from that shown in the diagram.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag
Magneto field magnets are always made of tungsten steel alloy, so treated that it will retain its magnetism for lengthy periods.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag
If there should be a tight spot between these two gears it will react disadvantageously on the magneto.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag

British Dictionary definitions for magneto (1 of 2)

magneto

/ (mæɡˈniːtəʊ) /

noun plural -tos

a small electric generator in which the magnetic field is produced by a permanent magnet, esp one for providing the spark in an internal-combustion engine

Word Origin for magneto

C19: short for magnetoelectric generator

British Dictionary definitions for magneto (2 of 2)

magneto-

combining form

indicating magnetism or magnetic propertiesmagnetosphere

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