Definition
The point on the Earth's surface where the planet's magnetic field lines point straight down, and toward which the north-seeking end of a magnetic compass needle is drawn. It is located in the Canadian Arctic and is geographically separate from the geographic (true) North Pole, which is the Earth's axis of rotation. Its position drifts measurably over time.
Plain English
The spot in the Arctic that a compass needle actually points to. It is not the same place as the true top of the globe, and it slowly moves over the years.
Context Anchor
Seen in magnetic compass and variation discussions, where pilots compare true north on a chart with magnetic north used by the compass.
Derivation
From Latin 'magneticus' (relating to the lodestone), via Greek 'Magnesia,' a region where naturally magnetic stones were found. The word reminds you that this pole is defined by magnetism, not by geography.
Why Pilots Care
The offset between the magnetic pole and the geographic North Pole creates variation that must be corrected for accurate compass navigation.
Grounding Statement
If you lay a chart on the table and point to the top of the globe, that is geographic north; the compass is responding to a different, magnetic reference that is nearby but not the same place.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the north magnetic pole is the same as the geographic North Pole. Here, “north” means the magnetic reference used by a compass, and that reference slowly moves over time.
Example Sentence 1
Because the north magnetic pole sits east of the geographic North Pole from where I was flying, my compass read several degrees off true north.
Example Sentence 2
Because the north magnetic pole drifts, pilots verify current variation values before long cross-country flights.