magnet

mag·net   (māg'nĭt)    n.   An object that is surrounded by a magnetic field and that has the property, either natural or induced, of attracting iron or steel. An electromagnet. A person, a place, an object, or a situation that exerts attraction. [Middle English, from Old French magnete, from Latin magnēs, magnēt-, from Greek Magnēs (lithos), Magnesian (stone), magnet, from Magnēsiā, Magnesia, an ancient city of Asia Minor.]

Main Entry: mag·net
Pronunciation: 'mag-n&t
Function: noun
: a body having the property of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field externalto itself; specifically : a mass of iron, steel, or alloy that has this property artificially imparted

magnet   (māg'nĭt)  Pronunciation Key  A material or object that produces a magnetic field. Lodestones are natural magnets, though many materials, especially metals, can be made into magnets by exposing them to a magnetic field. See also electromagnet, ferromagnetism, magnetic pole. See Note at magnetism.