Glossary · Term
Magnetic compass
The magnetic compass is a navigational instrument that uses a magnetised needle to indicate direction. It was developed in China and was used for navigation at sea under the Song Dynasty, among the earliest recorded uses. Its spread aided maritime trade under the Song and Yuan dynasties and later transformed navigation worldwide.
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Cite this entry
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Magnetic compass. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/magnetic-compass
- MLA
- “Magnetic compass.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/magnetic-compass. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Magnetic compass.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/magnetic-compass.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Magnetic compass’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/magnetic-compass (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻