rare earth

noun

Chemistry.

1. the oxide of any of the rare-earth elements contained in various minerals.

rare earth

noun

1. any oxide of a lanthanide

2. Also called: rare-earth element. another name for lanthanide

Word History and Origins

Origin of rare earth¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

They would require foreign companies to get approval for selling magnets that contain even minimal amounts of rare earth sourced from China, or produced or refined using Chinese technology.

Read more on Barron's

Automakers have long been trying to reduce their dependence on China for rare earths, but these supply chains haven’t been fully integrated, the analysts note.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As well as tightening rules for exports of rare earths, China has opened a monopoly investigation into the US tech firm Qualcomm that could stall its acquisition of another chipmaker.

Read more on BBC

China this week announced new export restrictions on rare earth minerals, which are critical components of products from semiconductors to electric vehicles and jet fighters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

AI chips and expanded export curbs on rare earth minerals raise trade war concerns.

Read more on Barron's