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 
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.
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
Dictionary Entries Near lanthanum
Cite this Entry
“Lanthanum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lanthanum. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share