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

China continues to dominate the refining and separation of rare earth elements, giving it significant influence over the global supply chain. — Jessica Towhey, Boston Herald, 29 July 2026

The question is no longer whether the world has enough copper, nickel, rare earths or uranium. — Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Once the channels could no longer stretch, even tiny differences in hydration size translated into much larger differences in how strongly each rare earth element attached to the material. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Between 10 and 12 African countries have commercially exploitable reserves of lithium, and 15 to 20 have commercially exploitable deposits of rare earths. — ABC News, 22 July 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