terbium

noun

ter·​bi·​um ˈtər-bē-əm 

: a metallic element of the rare-earth group with atomic number 65 that occurs naturally only in combination and that is used especially in alloys for electronic equipment and as a green phosphor (see phosphor sense 2) in electronic displays see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of terbium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rare earth elements in high demand for superior magnets and electronics – neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium – are all present in varying amounts in these areas. —Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025

Rare earths are a collection of 17 minerals where neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are often considered the most desired. —Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Last year, Myanmar was believed to be the world’s largest exporter of certain heavy rare earths, including dysprosium and terbium, which are used in items like electric vehicles and wind turbines. —Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are used to build the tiny mechanism that makes your phone vibrate. —Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Ytterby, Sweden

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for terbium

• erbium

Kids Definition

terbium

noun

ter·​bi·​um ˈtər-bē-əm 

: a rare metallic element see element

Medical Definition

terbium

noun

ter·​bi·​um ˈtər-bē-əm 

: a usually trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group

—symbol Tb see Chemical Elements Table