rare earth

noun

1

: any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals

2

: rare earth element

Examples of rare earth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The other major piece that gives China its competitive edge is the access to critical raw materials (CRMs) such as cobalt, titanium, lithium, magnesium, and rare earth elements, either by mining them directly or importing them from other countries and refining them. —Shimite Obialo, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

During her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris proposed a stockpile of critical minerals, including rare earth elements. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Workers transporting soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China, Oct. 31, 2010. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024

But this toxic waste may also be a treasure trove of the rare earth elements needed to propel the world toward clean energy. —Andrew Torgan, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

rare earth

noun

ˌrer-ˈərth 

1

: any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals

2

: rare earth element