rare earth

American  

noun

Chemistry.

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

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rare earth British  

noun

1. any oxide of a lanthanide

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

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Etymology

Origin of rare earth

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rare earth

Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics believes Trump is missing a chance to address bigger problems like China's rare earth export curbs.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Producing rare earth materials is also environmentally difficult.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

A multi-billion-dollar rare earth minerals deal between Kenya and the United States was challenged in a Kenyan court Monday, accused of lacking transparency.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

Titan Mining, EnergyX, Ioneer, and REalloys received leases to process graphite, lithium, boron, and rare earth elements.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

The first of the rare earth minerals was discovered in 1794 by J. Gadolin and was named gadolinite from its discoverer.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various