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

Infographic map showing the concentration of China's heavy rare earth mining activity in Jiangxi province. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, China is tightening approvals for exports of rare earth products — a key bargaining chip at the last summit in Beijing, which sealed an uneasy trade truce. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Solvay then restarted work and has added other rare earths this year, including samarium. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Whether the issue was rare earths, electric vehicles, robotics, semiconductors, or artificial intelligence, the analytical mistake has remained remarkably consistent. — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Aug. 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