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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for rare earth element 

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rare earth element was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near rare earth element

Cite this Entry

“Rare earth element.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare%20earth%20element. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!