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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.


rare-earth element Scientific  
/ râr′ûrth /

Etymology

Origin of rare-earth element

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Energy Fuels already has upstream rare-earth element assets, including mining projects and separation capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 23, 2026

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

From MarketWatch Nov. 21, 2025

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

From Barron's Oct. 16, 2025

Iridium was the key, rare-earth element that tipped geologists off that an asteroid struck the Earth at the end of the Cretaceous.

From Slate Feb. 7, 2013

The company’s Mountain Pass mine, discovered in 1949 by uranium prospectors who noticed local radioactivity, dominated rare-earth element production through the 1980s.

From New York Times Apr. 21, 2010

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