loadstone

[ lohd-stohn ]
/ ˈloʊdˌstoʊn /

noun

lodestone.

Origin of loadstone

1505–15; earlier load lode + stone

Words nearby loadstone

loading program, loadmaster, loads, loadspace, loadstar, loadstone, loady, loaf, loaf bread, loaf pan, loaf sugar

Definition for loadstone (2 of 2)

lodestone

or load·stone

[ lohd-stohn ]
/ ˈloʊdˌstoʊn /

noun

a variety of magnetite that possesses magnetic polarity and attracts iron.
a piece of this serving as a magnet.
something that attracts strongly.

Origin of lodestone

1505–15; lode (in obsolete sense “way, course”) + stone

Example sentences from the Web for loadstone

British Dictionary definitions for loadstone (1 of 2)

loadstone
/ (ˈləʊdˌstəʊn) /

noun

a variant spelling of lodestone

British Dictionary definitions for loadstone (2 of 2)

lodestone

loadstone

/ (ˈləʊdˌstəʊn) /

noun

  1. a rock that consists of pure or nearly pure magnetite and thus is naturally magnetic
  2. a piece of such rock, which can be used as a magnet and which was formerly used as a primitive compass
a person or thing regarded as a focus of attraction

Word Origin for lodestone

C16: literally: guiding stone

Scientific definitions for loadstone

lodestone

A piece of the mineral magnetite that acts like a magnet.