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solenoid

solenoid

6 8.2
A coil of wire that makes a magnetic field when electricity flows through it
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊlɪnɔɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : solenoide
  • The technician explained that the solenoid generates a magnetic field when electricity flows through it.
  • solenoid valve
  • rotary solenoid
  • solenoid-operated

So that's why essentially there was this central magnet, the solenoid in this case, that creates fields to do that.

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Examples

  • The most common unit utilized is an electric solenoid metering pump.

    Academic text (1998)
  • When the solenoid is energized, the kit brings the engine from idle to customer-set RPM level.

    Academic text (1995)
  • So this is a little solenoid lock and this is just a little baby thing.

  • Sometimes the solenoid goes out on these.

  • The only thing it could be is the solenoid.

  • There was a clicking from the solenoid, but that was all.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • If this current changes, the flux through this solenoid changes.

  • So ramping up the current through a solenoid creates an electric field around the solenoid.

  • You didn't use the right kind of solenoid.

  • Start by connecting the two solenoids in series.

Synonyms

electromagnet
vssolenoid
  • Specialized
8 3.9

A magnet made when electricity flows through wire wrapped around an iron bar, making it magnetic only while turned on

is a cylindrical coil that produces the magnetic field when current flows
field coil
vssolenoid
  • Specialized
3 6.3

A wire wrapped around a magnet that makes a magnetic field in motors and generators

is the general cylindrical coil form not limited to use in machines
field winding
vssolenoid
  • Specialized
6.3

A wire wrapped around a magnet that makes the magnetic force for electric machines

is the simple cylindrical coil used to make a magnetic field more broadly

How Strong

electromagnet
  • Specialized
8 3.9
solenoid
  • Specialized
6 8.2

Surface Forms

solenoid singular
solenoids plural

Morphology

solenoid = solen + oid

Formed from the combining form 'solen' (not a standalone English word) plus the scientific suffix '-oid'; these elements are not productive or familiar to average B1 learners, so the meaning ('cylindrical coil') is not derivable from known English base words.

Etymology

Solenoid comes from the Greek root solen meaning 'pipe' or 'tube' and the ending -oid meaning 'like', the same ending you see in asteroid or humanoid. So a solenoid is literally 'pipe-like' — a tube or cylinder of wire that makes a magnetic field when electric current flows, which explains its use as a simple magnetic actuator.