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

Greenland also possesses vast, largely untapped mineral reserves, including rare earths critical to advanced technology and military systems. —Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Plus, Greenland itself is rich in natural resources ranging from oil to iron ore to rare earth elements. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026

These minerals are not as common in the south, where rare earth elements are found, Jørgensen says. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026

The Pentagon struck an agreement last year with rare earth miner MP Materials that included an equity stake, price floor and offtake agreement. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Jan. 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