rare earth element

noun

: any of a series of metallic elements of which the oxides are classed as rare earths and which include the elements of the lanthanide series and sometimes yttrium and scandium

called also rare earth metal

Examples of rare earth element in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

About 24 million tonnes of magnesium and 3.1 million tonnes of cobalt are estimated to be in manganese crusts grown on bedrock over millions of years, as well as 1.7 million tonnes of cerium, a rare earth element used in alloys. —Laura Paddison, CNN, 30 Jan. 2023

Each successive rare earth element adds one more proton and one more electron. —Stanley Merzman, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2018

Enlarge / About half of the world's rare earth element supply comes from this single mine. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2022

Another challenge is that 40% of the critical materials used in an EV – a long list including everything from aluminum to yttrium, a rare earth element – must come from the U.S. or from nations that have a free trade agreement with the U.S. —Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rare earth element

noun

: any of a series of metallic elements of which the oxides are classed as rare earths and which include the elements of the lanthanide series and sometimes yttrium and scandium

called also rare earth metal