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

Some experts have suggested there should be more of a focus on recycling rare earth elements rather than mining. —Laura Paddison, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024

If conductors were rare earths, Finland would control the global economy. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2024

China has restricted sales of rare earth elements to coerce other countries in the past and threatened to restrict sales to the United States in 2019 in response to then U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods. —Vasabjit Banerjee, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2022

Sign up Global demand for rare earths is expected to skyrocket amid the global transition to green energy. —Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 3 July 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