electromagnetism
noun
elec·tro·mag·ne·tism
i-ˌlek-trō-ˈmag-nə-ˌti-zəm 
1
: magnetism developed by a current of electricity
2
a
: a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions between charged particles which occur because of their charge and for the emission and absorption of photons, that is about a hundredth the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over atomic and molecular distances
called also electromagnetic force
compare gravity sense 3a(2), strong force, weak force
b
: a branch of physical science that deals with the physical relations between electricity and magnetism
Examples of electromagnetism in a Sentence
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His dream was to find a single set of equations that could describe both gravity and electromagnetism.
—
Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2025
The field didn’t just interact with electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024
The emerging studies of electromagnetism, geomagnetism, and meteorology all depended on this sort of insight.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Jan. 2025
Loading Loading 1865 Waves of Light James Clerk Maxwell publishes his theory of electromagnetism.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
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Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2025
The field didn’t just interact with electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024
The emerging studies of electromagnetism, geomagnetism, and meteorology all depended on this sort of insight.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Jan. 2025
Loading Loading 1865 Waves of Light James Clerk Maxwell publishes his theory of electromagnetism.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for electromagnetism
Cite this Entry
“Electromagnetism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electromagnetism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
electromagnetism
noun
elec·tro·mag·ne·tism
i-ˌlek-trō-ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm
1
: magnetism developed by a current of electricity
2
: a natural force arising from interactions between charged particles
Medical Definition
electromagnetism
noun
elec·tro·mag·ne·tism
i-ˌlek-trō-ˈmag-nə-ˌtiz-əm
1
: magnetism developed by a current of electricity
2
: physics dealing with the relations between electricity and magnetism
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