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.

Back in the lab, the cores were sliced into thin sections and analyzed with a highly sensitive magnetometer capable of detecting signals far weaker than a compass needle.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Using supersensitive, quantum-based magnetic sensors, it’s possible to read that field the way a compass needle does and match those variations to pre-existing maps of them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

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