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

The tensions, which have sent a shudder across many American industries, have prompted Washington to seek new sources of rare earths. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 22 June 2026

Recovering the rare earth elements trapped inside them requires specialized processing technologies. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026

Copper, rare earth elements, and advanced semiconductors present similar vulnerabilities. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Harris noted that processing of rare earths can be extremely dirty, involving heavy chemical use that can contaminate water resources without close monitoring of companies’ sustainability commitments and enforcement by federal regulators. — David Biller, Fortune, 20 June 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