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

Examples of rare earth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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China controls more than 90% of the global output of refined rare earths, and that abundance has become one of its most potent tools in trade discussions with the US. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025 And the African Union’s Minerals Development Center stated recently that new huge specialist rare earth mines are due to come online by 2029 in Tanzania, Angola, Malawi and South Africa, and potentially yield almost 10% of the world’s supply. Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025 But what kind of concessions were made, especially on these rare earth minerals? ABC News, 26 Oct. 2025 In addition to rare earths, Trump is also seeking to convince Xi to resume Chinese purchases of American soybeans, crack down on fentanyl trafficking and potentially apply pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rare earth

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rare earth was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

“Rare earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare%20earth. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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