magnet

3 definitions • 4 examples

an object that is able to attract iron and steel objects

a person, place, or thing that other people feel strongly attracted to:

The United States has always acted as a magnet for people seeking fame and fortune.

an object, esp. a piece of iron, that is able to attract iron and steel objects toward itself:

Magnets are used to attach the toy train’s cars to the engine.

We use a refrigerator magnet (= small decorative magnet that will stick to a steel door) to hang our kids’ latest drawings.

fig. New York City remains a magnet for tourists (= it attracts them).