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
Examples of rare earth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tesla said in March that its next-generation batteries would be free of rare earths.
—
Lily Kuo, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
Of particular interest to U.S. officials and companies may be Mongolia’s rich deposits of rare earths and lithium, resources that have become ever more important as the United States attempts to better insulate its supply chains from China.
—Tuvshinzaya Gantulga, Foreign Affairs, 6 Oct. 2023
As the Chinese retaliate via export restrictions of rare earths, the stability of Korea’s mobile hardware industry leaders who are dependent on these Chinese inputs is jeopardized.
—Ben Harburg, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
Mined production of rare earths has also increased dramatically.
—Andrew Zaleski, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
China’s threat in 2019 to cut off rare earth minerals to the U.S. defense industry also sharpened the Biden administration’s focus on crucial minerals.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2023
The level of Chinese investment, for example, on rare earth minerals coming out of Africa is huge.
—CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
General Motors is eyeing a new type of magnet for its EV motors that’s less dependent on rare earth minerals from China.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 8 Nov. 2023
Chinese and Australian mining firms are prospecting Greenland in search of rare earth minerals.
—Stephen Lezak, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
Lily Kuo, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
Of particular interest to U.S. officials and companies may be Mongolia’s rich deposits of rare earths and lithium, resources that have become ever more important as the United States attempts to better insulate its supply chains from China.
—Tuvshinzaya Gantulga, Foreign Affairs, 6 Oct. 2023
As the Chinese retaliate via export restrictions of rare earths, the stability of Korea’s mobile hardware industry leaders who are dependent on these Chinese inputs is jeopardized.
—Ben Harburg, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
Mined production of rare earths has also increased dramatically.
—Andrew Zaleski, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
China’s threat in 2019 to cut off rare earth minerals to the U.S. defense industry also sharpened the Biden administration’s focus on crucial minerals.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2023
The level of Chinese investment, for example, on rare earth minerals coming out of Africa is huge.
—CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
General Motors is eyeing a new type of magnet for its EV motors that’s less dependent on rare earth minerals from China.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 8 Nov. 2023
Chinese and Australian mining firms are prospecting Greenland in search of rare earth minerals.
—Stephen Lezak, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rare earth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near rare earth
Cite this Entry
“Rare earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare%20earth. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share