rare earth element
noun
: any of a series of metallic elements of which the oxides are classed as rare earths and which include the elements of the lanthanide series and sometimes yttrium and scandium
called also rare earth metal
Examples of rare earth element in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
About 24 million tonnes of magnesium and 3.1 million tonnes of cobalt are estimated to be in manganese crusts grown on bedrock over millions of years, as well as 1.7 million tonnes of cerium, a rare earth element used in alloys.
—
Laura Paddison, CNN, 30 Jan. 2023
Each successive rare earth element adds one more proton and one more electron.
—Stanley Merzman, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2018
Enlarge / About half of the world's rare earth element supply comes from this single mine.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2022
Another challenge is that 40% of the critical materials used in an EV – a long list including everything from aluminum to yttrium, a rare earth element – must come from the U.S. or from nations that have a free trade agreement with the U.S.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2022
As a first step, DOE recently announced plans for a first-of-its-kind national rare earth element facility that could look at how to transform untapped waste resources that contain valuable minerals.
—Suresh Sunderrajan, Forbes, 7 July 2022
Around 15% of the world’s rare earth element supply is sourced from Mountain Pass, according to MP Minerals.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 June 2022
And here China currently holds a monopoly on rare earth element (REE) extraction and processing to the tune of 90%.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2021
Although indium is not technically a rare earth element, its economics are very much the same.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021
See More
Laura Paddison, CNN, 30 Jan. 2023
Each successive rare earth element adds one more proton and one more electron.
—Stanley Merzman, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2018
Enlarge / About half of the world's rare earth element supply comes from this single mine.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2022
Another challenge is that 40% of the critical materials used in an EV – a long list including everything from aluminum to yttrium, a rare earth element – must come from the U.S. or from nations that have a free trade agreement with the U.S.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2022
As a first step, DOE recently announced plans for a first-of-its-kind national rare earth element facility that could look at how to transform untapped waste resources that contain valuable minerals.
—Suresh Sunderrajan, Forbes, 7 July 2022
Around 15% of the world’s rare earth element supply is sourced from Mountain Pass, according to MP Minerals.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 June 2022
And here China currently holds a monopoly on rare earth element (REE) extraction and processing to the tune of 90%.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2021
Although indium is not technically a rare earth element, its economics are very much the same.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rare earth element.' 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
1924, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of rare earth element was
in 1924
Dictionary Entries Near rare earth element
Cite this Entry
“Rare earth element.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare%20earth%20element. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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Medical Definition
rare earth element
noun
: any of a series of metallic elements of which the oxides are classed as rare earths and which include the elements of the lanthanide series and sometimes yttrium and scandium
called also rare earth metal
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