e·lec·tro·mag·net (ĭ-lěk'trō-māg'nĭt) n. A magnet consisting essentially of a coil of insulated wire wrapped around a soft iron core that is magnetized only when current flows through the wire.
Main Entry: elec·tro·mag·net Pronunciation: i-"lek-trO-'mag-n&t Function: noun : a core of magnetic material surrounded by a coil ofwire through which an electric current is passed to magnetize the core