Definition
The point on the Earth's surface where the planet's magnetic field lines converge and point straight down, and toward which the north-seeking end of a magnetic compass needle is attracted. It is located in the Arctic region of northern Canada and is offset from, and slowly drifting relative to, the geographic (true) North Pole.
Plain English
The spot in the far north that a compass needle points to. It is not the same place as the true top of the globe -- it sits some distance away from it, in the Canadian Arctic, and shifts slightly over time.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying, compass, heading, and magnetic variation discussions.
Derivation
From Latin magneticus, relating to the lodestone (a naturally magnetic mineral). Early navigators noticed that a suspended lodestone always aligned itself toward a particular northern point -- so that point was named the magnetic North Pole, the place the magnet 'pulls toward.'
Why Pilots Care
Compasses and heading indicators reference this pole, so pilots must account for its offset from true north to navigate accurately.
Grounding Statement
Picture two norths: one fixed at the top of the globe, and one moving point that a compass is pulled toward.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the magnetic North Pole is the same as the geographic North Pole. Geographic north is the fixed top of the Earth’s rotation; magnetic north is the moving north that a compass responds to.
Example Sentence 1
Because the magnetic North Pole sits in northern Canada rather than at the top of the globe, the pilot applied variation to convert true course to magnetic course.
Example Sentence 2
Charts are updated regularly because the magnetic North Pole drifts, changing local variation values used in navigation.