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

Recent Examples on the Web

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

China's Ministry of Commerce said seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items would be on this list. — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

The new restrictions — which encompass the medium and heavy rare earth elements samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium — will require Chinese companies to secure special licenses to export the resources. — Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Lutetia, ancient name of Paris

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lutetium

• syncytium

Kids 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

lü-ˈtē-sh(ē-)əm 

: a metallic element of the rare-earth group

—symbol Lu see Chemical Elements Table