noun
magneto
mag-NEE-toh
noun
1
A small generator that uses a rotating magnet to produce electric current, used to fire the spark plugs in some small engines (still common on aircraft).
"The old tractor still starts on a magneto rather than a battery."
"Aircraft engines often carry two magnetos for redundancy in case one fails."
How to Use Magneto
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small spinning magnet-generator that makes its own electricity to fire spark plugs, without needing a battery.
Common pairings
magneto ignition
aircraft magneto
Word Forms
magnetos plural
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The old tractor still starts on a _____ rather than a battery.
Etymology
A shortening of "magneto-electric machine", the original 19th-century name for the device.