solenoid

American  

[soh-luh-noid, sol-uh-] / ˈsoʊ ləˌnɔɪd, ˈsɒl ə- /

noun

• solenoids
  plural

1. Electricity. an electric conductor wound as a helix with small pitch, or as two or more coaxial helices, so that current through the conductor establishes a magnetic field within the conductor.

2. Also called solenoid switch.  a switch controlled by such an arrangement, in which a metal rod moves when the current is turned on: used in automotive starting systems.

3. Meteorology. a space formed by the intersection of isobaric and isosteric surfaces.

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solenoid British  

/ ˈsəʊlɪˌnɔɪd /

noun

1. a coil of wire, usually cylindrical, in which a magnetic field is set up by passing a current through it

2. a coil of wire, partially surrounding an iron core, that is made to move inside the coil by the magnetic field set up by a current: used to convert electrical to mechanical energy, as in the operation of a switch

3. such a device used as a relay, as in a motor vehicle for connecting the battery directly to the starter motor when activated by the ignition switch

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solenoid Scientific  

/ sō′lə-noid′ /

1. A coil of wire that acts as an electromagnet when electric current is passed through it, often used to control the motion of metal objects, such as the switch of a relay.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• solenoidal
  adjective
• solenoidally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• solenoids
  plural

Etymology

Origin of solenoid

1825–35; < French solénoïde < Greek sōlḗn pipe, channel + French -oïde -oid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solenoid solenoids

Wartsila also recommended tightening bolts and locking them in place with superglue to improve reliability, particularly involving air leakages, failed silencers and solenoid coils becoming loose.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

CMS uses a solenoid, a ring-shaped magnet, to bend the path of charged particles such as muons.

From Scientific American ● Apr. 27, 2022

The central solenoid is just one of 12 large U.S. contributions to ITER, each of which is built by American companies, with funds allocated by Congress going toward U.S. jobs.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 8, 2021

Washing machines, dishwashers and ice makers are especially prone to water hammer, because they have solenoid switches that instantly turn off the water instead of the gradual closing that happens with a faucet.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 18, 2020

The solenoid kicked in immediately; the engine stuttered once and then began to idle roughly, rattling frantically beneath the floorboards.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

It makes solenoids - electromagnetic valves - used in everything from airplane hydraulics controls to air conditioning.

From Reuters ● Jul. 21, 2022

Certainly, the shift from cranks and solenoids and bits of small metal to remote, wireless contraptions isn’t only about science and technology.

From New York Times ● Nov. 25, 2021

We go around the telescope and then far below, to a realm of giant gears and, as Meneghini points out, “100-year-old solenoids and relays and wiring.”

From Washington Post ● Aug. 11, 2017

What he found were 12-volt solenoids from China selling for $3.29 on eBay.

From Washington Times ● May 29, 2016

Two of these conductors consisted of simple "circuit wires," while the other three were what is known as "solenoids."

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 312, December 24, 1881 by Various