samarium

noun

sa·​mar·​i·​um sə-ˈmer-ē-əm 

: a silvery-white lustrous metallic element of the rare-earth group that is used especially in permanent magnets see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of samarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To address the problem, the researchers engineered a heterointerface combining iron oxide (Fe2O3) and samarium oxide (Sm2O3). — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026

As of last year, for example, China produced the world’s entire supply of samarium, an obscure rare-earth metal that is an essential component of magnets that help guide Tomahawk missiles and start the engines in F-35 fighter jets. — Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 28 May 2026

Beijing’s control of neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, and yttrium oxides is virtually total. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 10 May 2026

The new rules bar exports of rare earths such as dysprosium, yttrium or samarium which play tiny but vital roles in cars, planes, weapons and consumer electronics. — Reuters, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from French samarskite

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for samarium

• cerium
• aquarium
• herbarium
• ovarium
• puparium
• solarium
• zoarium
• armamentarium
• honorarium
• planetarium
• sanitarium

Kids Definition

samarium

noun

sa·​mar·​i·​um sə-ˈmer-ē-əm 

-ˈmar-

: a pale gray shiny metallic element see element

Medical Definition

samarium

noun

sa·​mar·​i·​um sə-ˈmer-ē-əm, -ˈmar- 

: a pale gray lustrous metallic element used especially in alloys that form permanent magnets

—symbol Sm see Chemical Elements Table