rare earth

noun

1

: any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals

2

: rare earth element

Examples of rare earth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As with other situations involving rare earth materials in recent years, China looms large in the supply chain bottleneck. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 3 June 2026

New Delhi is also keen on gaining access to some of Myanmar's extensive rare earths deposits-though China, which controls much of the rare earths supply chain in the area, is unlikely to agree. —Michael Sullivan, NPR, 30 May 2026

For its part, Beijing has restricted exports of rare earths and related items. —Olivia White, Time, 29 May 2026

The energy transition alone is dramatically increasing demand for metals such as copper, nickel, lithium and rare earth elements. —Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rare earth

• afterbirth
• berth
• birth
• dearth
• firth
• girth
• mirth
• worth
• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth

Medical Definition

rare earth

noun

ˌrer-ˈərth 

1

: any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals

2

: rare earth element