lanthanum

American  

[lan-thuh-nuhm] / ˈlæn θə nəm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a rare-earth, trivalent, metallic element, allied to aluminum, found in certain minerals, as monazite. La; 138.91; 57; 6.15 at 20°C.

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lanthanum British  

/ ˈlænθənəm /

noun

1. a silvery-white ductile metallic element of the lanthanide series, occurring principally in bastnaesite and monazite: used in pyrophoric alloys, electronic devices, and in glass manufacture. Symbol: La; atomic no: 57; atomic wt: 138.9055; valency: 3; relative density: 6.145; melting pt: 918°C; boiling pt: 3464°C

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lanthanum Scientific  

/ lăn′thə-nəm /

1. A soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series. It is used to make glass for lenses and lights for movie and television studios. Atomic number 57; atomic weight 138.91; melting point 920°C; boiling point 3,469°C; specific gravity 5.98 to 6.186; valence 3.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of lanthanum

< New Latin (1841), equivalent to lanthan- (< Greek lanthánein to escape notice; referring to its position on the periodic table) + -um, variant of -ium -ium

Example Sentences

Europium is crucial for television screens, cerium is used for polishing glass and refining oil, lanthanum makes a car's catalytic converters operate -- the list of uses in today's economy is virtually endless.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

"The objective of the liquid separation unit will be to purify cerium on one side, lanthanum on the other side," explains production manager Florian Gouneau as we walk up a flight of metal stairs.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

Most rare earth elements are lanthanides, elements from 57 -- lanthanum -- to 71 -- lutetium -- on the periodic table.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

Loeb says traces of three rare elements — beryllium, lanthanum and uranium — suggest the spheres come from outside of our solar system.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2023

On treating with oxalic acid, cerium, lanthanum, and didymium are precipitated as oxalates, which on ignition are converted into oxides.

From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius