magnate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a very wealthy or powerful businessman
    business leader; tycoon; baron; power; king; mogul; top executive; big businessman.
    • an oil baron

WordNet

Mag"nate
Etymology
F. magnat, L. (pl.) magnates, magnati, fr. magnus great. See Master.
Definitions
  1. A person of rank; a noble or grandee; a person of influence or distinction in any sphere. used mostly of prominent business executives; an industrial magnate Macaulay.
  2. One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.

Webster 1913