magnetic north
noun
north as indicated by a magnetic compass, differing in most places from true north.
Origin of magnetic north
First recorded in 1805–15
Words nearby magnetic north
British Dictionary definitions for magnetic north
magnetic north
noun
the direction in which a compass needle points, at an angle (the declination) from the direction of true (geographic) north
Scientific definitions for magnetic north
magnetic north
The direction toward which the north-seeking arrow of a compass points.♦ The magnetic north pole is the northern pole of the Earth's magnetic field and changes slightly in response to variations in the Earth's magnetism. The current magnetic north pole is located in the Arctic Islands of Canada. Compare geographic north.