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🔋 A battery terminal 🧲 A magnet end
positive pole

positive pole

4.4
The end of a magnet that points north when the magnet hangs freely
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : polo positivo
  • When suspended by a string, the positive pole of the magnet always points northward.

Examples

  • Scientists placed a compass near the positive pole to observe the direction of magnetic force.

  • Can you identify the positive pole on this magnet?

  • The positive pole is attracted to the Earth's magnetic south pole.

  • The positive pole of the magnet attracts the negative pole.

  • When suspended freely, the positive pole of the magnet consistently points toward true north.

  • The compass needle aligns itself with the positive pole of the magnet to show direction.

  • By bringing the magnet close to the compass, we can see that the positive pole attracts the compass's north end.

Synonyms

north-seeking pole
vspositive pole
  • Specialized
6.1

The end of a magnet that points toward Earth's north when it hangs freely

is the identical concept but used as the other common name
positive magnetic pole
vspositive pole
  • Specialized
6.0

The end of a magnet that points toward the north when it hangs freely

is the same concept but omits the extra descriptive word

Antonyms

negative pole
  • Specialized
3.9

The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's south

Surface Forms

positive pole singular
positive poles plural

Morphology

positive + pole

The meaning is directly compositional: 'positive' (bearing a positive charge) modifies 'pole' (an end of a magnet), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the pole that is positive (here the north-facing end). This adjective+noun combination follows a straightforward composition pattern and is therefore immediately understandable to B1 learners familiar with the constituent senses.

Etymology

Positive pole: The noun positive pole for a magnet names the end that points toward the north, like Earth's poles. People thought of the magnet as having two posts, so they called the north end the positive pole, and today it means the magnet end that 'points north'.