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

President Donald Trump announced a U.S. trade deal with China, including relief on restrictions China imposed amid the monthslong tariff dispute on crucial rare earth minerals and magnets. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

China imposed export restrictions on rare earth minerals back in April in response to President Donald Trump's harsh tariff hikes. —Julie Coleman, CNBC, 11 June 2025

Still, analysts were upbeat about the prospects for the superpowers’ negotiations, pointing to Beijing’s decision to loosen controls on rare earths as a positive signal. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 June 2025

China is aware of the importance of holding this card of the rare earth export controls. —Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 10 June 2025

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