English Reference

Word

pinning

Phoneticspin·ning

US/ˈpɪnɪŋ/

UK/pˈɪnɪŋ/

Definition

n. the way a particle's movement is stopped or held in place by a defect in a material. This is very important in physics for making strong magnets work correctly.

n. the restriction of movement of magnetic flux lines or dislocations within a material due to structural defects or impurities. This mechanism is essential for maintaining high current densities in superconductors.

Examples

“Flux pinning allows the magnet to float above the superconductor.”

“The researchers studied how chemical impurities affect the pinning of magnetic vortices in thin films.”

“Effective pinning of magnetic flux lines is a prerequisite for the practical application of high-temperature superconductors in power transmission and medical imaging devices.”

Examples

simple

“Flux pinning allows the magnet to float above the superconductor.”

contextual

“The researchers studied how chemical impurities affect the pinning of magnetic vortices in thin films.”

complex

“Effective pinning of magnetic flux lines is a prerequisite for the practical application of high-temperature superconductors in power transmission and medical imaging devices.”

Usage

Often appears in the compound phrase 'flux pinning' within condensed matter physics.

Real-World Examples

“Tried CPR but could not resuscitate, with the autopsy pinning his death on cardiac arrest.”
Toronto Sun · 15 Aug 2026
“Scientists can illuminate how bacteria and archaea emerged by comparing when their ancestors evolved certain traits and pinning down which of those traits might have been inherited from LUCA.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 5 Aug 2026

Domain

Physics

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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