Definition of "magnetoresistance" [magnetoresistance]

• A change in electrical resistance of a conductor or semiconductor when a magnetic field is applied. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Giant magnetoresistance is essentially a quantum mechanical effect depending on the property of electron spin."
• "‘Ordinary’ magnetoresistance is observed in common non-ferromagnetic metals."
• "Ordinary magnetoresistance is a small effect, too small for application in hard drives."