lanthanide

American  

[lan-thuh-nahyd, -nid] / ˈlæn θəˌnaɪd, -nɪd /

noun

Chemistry.

1. any element of the lanthanide series.

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lanthanide British  

/ ˈlænθəˌnaɪd /

noun

1. Also called: rare earth, rare-earth element. any element of the lanthanide series

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lanthanide Scientific  

/ lăn′thə-nīd′ /

1. Any of a series of 15 naturally occurring metallic elements. The lanthanides include elements having atomic numbers 57 (lanthanum) through 71 (lutetium). They are grouped apart from the rest of the elements in the Periodic Table because they all behave in a similar way in chemical reactions.

2. Also called rare-earth element

3. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of lanthanide

First recorded in 1925–30; lanthan(um) + -ide ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lanthanide

The particles rely on ions of ytterbium and erbium, which belong to the lanthanide family of chemical elements, to carry out the upconversion process.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026

Hernández Sánchez proposed that if lanthanides could bind oxygen in the right way, they might produce highly reactive lanthanide oxo compounds.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

In a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Hernández Sánchez and his colleagues reported a method that allowed dioxygen to form pi interactions with neodymium, a lanthanide metal.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

With important electrical and magnetic qualities, rare earths consist of 17 elements in the lanthanide group of the periodic table, plus scandium and yytrium.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2026

In a statement on Tuesday, Lynas said the change to its licence will allow its Malaysian facility to continue to import and process lanthanide concentrate from its mine in Western Australia.

From Reuters ● Oct. 25, 2023