compass needle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The lasers help measure changes in the atoms’ internal compass needle, which is used to calculate the strength of the magnetic field.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

"Each electron possesses a magnetic spin that acts like a tiny compass needle embedded in the material, reacting to the local magnetic field," said Rice materials scientist and co-author Boris Yakobson.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2023

Above, the mast tilted back and forth like a compass needle aimed at the sky.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2022

These errors are akin to flipping a compass needle from north to south or east to west, respectively.

From Scientific American • Sep. 22, 2022

Jones held the dripping candle over the protective glass cover that shielded the dancing compass needle, showing Booth the course to steer.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson