| magnetic compass n. An instrument that uses a magnetized steel bar to indicate direction relative to the earth's magnetic poles. |
magnetic compass
n
(Physics / General Physics) a compass containing a magnetic needle pivoted in a horizontal plane, that indicates the direction of magnetic north at points on the earth's surface
An instrument containing a freely suspended magnetic element which displays the direction of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field at the point of observation.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  magnetic compass - compass based on an indicator (as a magnetic needle) that points to the magnetic northcompass - navigational instrument for finding directions compass card, mariner's compass - compass in the form of a card that rotates so that 0 degrees or North points to magnetic north magnetic needle - a slender magnet suspended in a magnetic compass on a mounting with little friction; used to indicate the direction of the earth's magnetic pole |
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