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 administration is seeking to fast-track the pursuit of strategically important minerals such as nickel, copper and rare earth elements from the seabed in U.S. and international waters. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025

Lange agrees that the impact of losing access to heavy rare earth elements would be somewhat manageable for American companies. —ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025

Lynas Rare Earths, Australia’s major producer of the material, is already working with the U.S. Government on the construction of a rare earth refinery in Texas to replace Chinese metals. —Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

For example, China restricted exports of rare earth minerals and raised multiple cases against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization. —CBS News, 24 Apr. 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