rare-earth element

American  

[rair-urth] / ˈrɛərˈɜrθ /

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of a group of closely related metallic elements, comprising the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, that are chemically similar by virtue of having the same number of valence electrons.

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rare-earth element Scientific  

/ râr′ûrth′ /

1. See lanthanide

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Etymology

Origin of rare-earth element

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Australia and Canada, for instance, have significant rare-earth resources that can help support America’s rare-earth element needs.

From MarketWatch

Ramaco Resources, a metallurgical coal producer, is developing its Brook Mine, which holds significant heavy rare-earth element deposits.

From Barron's

This ring is packed with 648 22cm-long neodymium magnets laced with another rare-earth element, dysprosium, which makes them much less liable to become demagnetised.

From BBC

The price of dysprosium, a “heavy” rare-earth element used in magnets for car motors, almost tripled to $305 a kilogram.

From BusinessWeek

"The country's grasp on the rare-earth element industry could one day give China a strong technological advantage and increase its military superiority," she wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal