solenoid

[ soh-luh-noid, sol-uh- ]

/ ˈsoʊ ləˌnɔɪd, ˈsɒl ə- /

noun

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.

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.

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

Nearby words

solemnly, solenette, solenocyte, solenodon, solenogaster, solenoid, solenoidal, solent, solent, the, soleplate, soleprint

Origin of solenoid

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for solenoid

A current indicator is inserted in the circuit consisting of a solenoid of nine turns.
Scientific American Supplement No. 822|Various
The electric current for a Hauckhousen lamp was passed through a long coil of solenoid wire.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 312, December 24, 1881|Various
If you should lose the iron armature No. 64 in solenoid, what could be done to get use of light?
The Traveling Engineers' Association|Anonymous
The first sad thing was to learn that the solenoid M1537 was as good as new.
The Trouble with Telstar|John Berryman

It was also, the writer believes, built on the solenoid principle.
The Invention of the Track Circuit|American Railway Association

British Dictionary definitions for solenoid

solenoid

/ (ˈsəʊlɪˌnɔɪd) /

noun

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

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

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

Derived Formssolenoidal, adjectivesolenoidally, adverb

Word Origin for solenoid

C19: from French solénoïde, from Greek sōlēn a pipe, tube

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

Word Origin and History for solenoid

solenoid

"coil of insulated wire carrying an electrical current and having magnetic properties," 1827, from French solénoïde, from Greek solenoeides "pipe-shaped," from solen "pipe, channel" + comb. form of eidos "form, shape" (see -oid). Related: Solenoidal.

Science definitions for solenoid

solenoid

[ sō′lə-noid′ ]

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.