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
3.
such a device used as a relay, as in a motor vehicle for connecting the battery directly to the starter motor when activated by the ignition switch
Derived forms
solenoidal (ˌsoleˈnoidal)
adjective
solenoidally (ˌsoleˈnoidally)
adverb
Word origin
C19: from French solénoïde, from Greek sōlēn a pipe, tube
solenoid in American English
(ˈsoʊləˌnɔɪd; ˈsɑləˌnɔɪd)
noun
a coil of wire, usually surrounding a movable iron core, that acts as a magnet when carrying a current: used as an electromagnetic switch or relay
Derived forms
solenoidal (ˌsoleˈnoidal)
adjective
Word origin
Fr solénoïde < Gr sōlēn, a tube, channel (< IE *tul- < base *twō- > Sans tūṇa, a quiver) + eidos, -oid
solenoid in Electrical Engineering
(soʊlɪnɔɪd)
Word forms: (regular plural) solenoids
noun
(Electrical engineering: Circuits, Electrical power, Computing and control)
A solenoid is a coil of wire wound on a cylinder, that has a length that is large compared with its radius.
A solenoid is a long, thin loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core, which producesa magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it.
Domestic coffee machines use an inlet water hose which is triggered by a solenoid to fill up the water reservoir whenever needed.
A solenoid is a coil of wire wound on a cylinder, that has a length that is large compared withits radius.