solenoid

UK: /ˈsəʊlɪˌnɔɪd/

US: /ˈsoʊləˌnɔɪd, ˈsɑlə-/

US: (sō′lə noid′, sol′ə-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

so•le•noid /ˈsoʊləˌnɔɪd, ˈsɑlə-/   n. [countable]

1. Electricity a coil of wire that, when carrying current, magnetically attracts a sliding iron core.

so•le•noi•dal, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

so•le•noid  (sō′lə noid′, sol′ə-), n. 

1. Electricity an electric conductor wound as a helix with small pitch, or as two or more coaxial helices, so that current through the conductor establishes a magnetic field within the conductor.
2. Electricity Also called so′lenoid switch′. a switch controlled by such an arrangement, in which a metal rod moves when the current is turned on: used in automotive starting systems.
3. Meteorology a space formed by the intersection of isobaric and isosteric surfaces.

• Greek sōlé̄n pipe, channel + French -oïde -oid
• French solénoïde
• 1825–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

solenoid / ˈsəʊlɪˌnɔɪd/ noun

1. a coil of wire, usually cylindrical, in which a magnetic field is set up by passing a current through it
2. a coil of wire, partially surrounding an iron core, that is made to move inside the coil by the magnetic field set up by a current: used to convert electrical to mechanical energy, as in the operation of a switch

Etymology: 19th Century: from French solénoïde, from Greek sōlēn a pipe, tube

ˌsoleˈnoidal adjective