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Definition of lodestone

lodestone

/ˈloʊdˌstoʊn/
lode · stone
Plural:lodestones
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lodestone Lexical Profile

lodestone Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person, thing, or principle that strongly attracts attention or serves as a guiding central focus.

Example

"The charismatic leader quickly became a lodestone for young activists seeking meaningful social change."

2

A naturally magnetized piece of the mineral magnetite, traditionally used as a magnetic compass for navigation.

Example

"Ancient mariners relied on a suspended piece of lodestone to help them navigate across open seas when the stars were obscured."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for lodestone

• Nearby Words

locust
loddon
lode
lodestone
lodge
lodgepole pine
lodger

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'lode' (course, way, journey) combined with 'stone'. Literally meaning 'way-stone' or 'course-stone', reflecting its historical use in early magnetic compasses for navigation.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lodestone. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lodestone
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