Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
magnetic meridian

magnetic meridian

8.9
An imaginary line on Earth joining the north and south magnetic poles that shows compass direction at a place
  • noun
  • /mæɡˈnɛtɪk məˈrɪdiən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : meridiano magnético
  • The magnetic meridian changes slightly over time due to shifts in Earth's magnetic field.

Examples

  • Surveyors must consider the angle between the geographic and magnetic meridian when mapping land.

  • The magnetic meridian runs from the North Pole to the South Pole.

  • The compass needle aligns itself with the magnetic meridian at that location.

  • Can you locate the magnetic meridian on this map?

  • A compass points toward the magnetic meridian, helping navigators find their way.

  • When using a compass, it's important to understand the magnetic meridian and how it relates to true north.

  • Surveyors rely on the magnetic meridian to accurately measure angles and directions on the Earth's surface.

Surface Forms

magnetic meridian singular
magnetic meridians plural

Morphology

magnetic + meridian

The meaning is directly compositional: 'magnetic' (relating to the Earth's magnetic field) modifies 'meridian' (a line on the Earth's surface), so the phrase denotes a meridian defined by magnetism. Although somewhat technical, this follows normal English modifier-noun composition and is inferable by a learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Magnetic meridian names an invisible line that joins the Earth's magnetic north and south. The word magnetic comes from magnets (like a compass) and meridian means a north-south line. A compass needle points along this line, so the phrase shows the 'direction a compass points' at a place.