magnetic pole

Either of two limited regions in a magnet at which the field of the magnet is most intense, each of which is designated by the approximate geographic direction to which it is attracted.

Either of two variable points on the earth, close to but not coinciding with the geographic poles, where the magnetic field of the earth is most intense and toward which the needle of a compass points.

Either of two regions of a magnet, designated north and south, where the magnetic field is strongest. Electromagnetic interactions cause the north poles of magnets to be attracted to the south poles of other magnets, and conversely. The north pole of a magnet is the pole out of which magnetic lines of force point, while the south pole is the pole into which they point. The Earth's geomagnetic "north" and "south" poles are, in fact, magnetically the opposite of what their names suggest; this is why the north end of a compass needle is attracted to the geomagnetic "north" pole. See Note at magnetism, See also monopole.

Either of two regions of the Earth's surface at which magnetic lines of force are perpendicular to the Earth's surface. The Earth's magnetic poles are close to, but not identical with, both its geographic poles (the North and South Poles) and its geomagnetic poles. See Note at magnetic reversal.