lutetium
noun
lu·te·tium
lü-ˈtē-sh(ē-)əm 
: a metallic chemical element of the rare-earth group that has few practical applications but is sometimes used as a catalyst in cracking and as a radiation source for treatment of certain cancers see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of lutetium in a Sentence
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The Ryugu samples hauled home by Hayabusa2 contained larger quantities of hafnium isotopes compared to lutetium isotopes than were expected.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Those rare earths included samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.
—Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Ars Video Rare but not irreplaceable The export controls China announced earlier this month cover samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—seven elements that belong to what is known as the rare earth family.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
Rare but Not Irreplaceable The export controls China announced earlier this month cover samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—seven elements that belong to what is known as the rare earth family.
—Zeyi Yang, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Those rare earths included samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.
—Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Ars Video Rare but not irreplaceable The export controls China announced earlier this month cover samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—seven elements that belong to what is known as the rare earth family.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
Rare but Not Irreplaceable The export controls China announced earlier this month cover samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—seven elements that belong to what is known as the rare earth family.
—Zeyi Yang, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lutetium
Cite this Entry
“Lutetium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lutetium. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lutetium
noun
lu·te·tium
lü-ˈtē-sh(ē-)əm
: a soft metallic chemical element see element
Medical Definition
lutetium
noun
lu·te·tium
variants
also lutecium
: a metallic element of the rare-earth group
—symbol Lu
see Chemical Elements Table
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