magnetic north

noun

At a given point on Earth's surface, the direction of Earth's magnetic field, i.e. the direction into which the compass needle of a magnetic compass points.

Similar
northcompass north
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Meanings

magnetic north1

nounmagnetic north (uncountable)

alternative Magnetic North

  1. uncountableAt a given point on Earth's surface, the direction of Earth's magnetic field, i.e. the direction into which the compass needle of a magnetic compass points.

Magnetic North2

nounMagnetic North (uncountable)

alternative magnetic north

  1. uncountablegeographyAt a given point, the direction in which the magnetic North Pole of the Earth lies.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe direction in which a compass needle points

Similar
northcompass north
Broader
direction
Also see
north

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Finnish neulapohjoinen
  • neulapohjoinendirection into which compass points
Icelandic segulnorður
  • segulnorðurdirection into which compass points
Romanian nord magnetic
  • nord magneticdirection into which compass points
Scottish Gaelic tuath magnaiteach
  • tuath magnaiteachdirection into which compass points
Cite this entry
APA

magnetic north. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/magnetic%20north

MLA

“magnetic north.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/magnetic%20north. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “magnetic north,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/magnetic%20north.

Source: magnetic north on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.