-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
lanthanum
noun
lan·tha·num
ˈlan(t)-thə-nəm
: a white soft malleable metallic element that occurs in rare-earth minerals see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of lanthanum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sourcing solutions Rare earth elements like lanthanum, neodymium and terbium are used in powering several clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles and wind turbines.
—
Devika Rao, theweek, 1 Oct. 2024
Rare earth elements, such as lanthanum, neodymium and terbium, are critical for helping the world break its long, destructive relationship with planet-heating fossil fuels.
—
Laura Paddison, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024
The aquatic plant contains the elements platinum and rhodium, along with rare-earth elements like neodymium, lanthanum, yttrium and dysprosium.
—
Devika Rao, theweek, 22 May 2024
Since 2015 a working group at the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry has been refereeing a debate over which elements should go in the third column of the table: lanthanum and actinium (elements 57 and 89) or lutetium and lawrencium (71 and 103).
—
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lanthanum ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2025-01-31--15-58-40-flw9nf/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near lanthanum
Cite this Entry
“Lanthanum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lanthanum. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
lanthanum
noun
lan·tha·num
ˈlan(t)-thə-nəm
: a white soft metallic element see element
Medical Definition
lanthanum
noun
lan·tha·num
-nəm
: a white soft malleable metallic element that occurs in rare-earth minerals
—symbol La
see Chemical Elements Table
More from Merriam-Webster on lanthanum
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lanthanum
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share