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 Phalaborwa project aims to start extracting rare earths from the two huge dunes in 2028. —Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026

The investment is part of Washington’s drive to reduce dependence on imports from China, which dominates mining and processing of rare earths. —Chris Wellisz, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026

Beijing also postponed implementation of stricter rare earth export controls by the same period. —Eunice Yoon,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026

Solar panels, wind turbines and batteries need key minerals such as cobalt, lithium, graphite and rare earth elements. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 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