| 1. | the suspension of an object above or below a second object by means of magnetic repulsion or attraction. |
| 2. | Railroads. the suspension of a vehicle above or below a suitable guide rail by such means, often with the vehicle being propelled by a linear induction motor. |
| magnetic levitation n. A high-speed rail technology by which a train can travel free of friction at speeds of 480 kilometers (300 miles) per hour or more. The train is suspended on a magnetic cushion about half an inch above an elevated magnetic track, whose moving magnetic field alternately attracts and repels magnets mounted on the train, which is pushed and pulled along by this process. |
A process by which a magnet moving over a piece of metal causes electric currents to flow in the metal that, in turn, produce forces that push the magnet upward. If the force is large enough, the moving magnet can float (be levitated).
Note: Magnetic levitation (or maglev) trains are capable of cruising speeds of up to three hundred miles per hour.