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

Enlarge / About half of the world's rare earth element supply comes from this single mine. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 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

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rare earth element

• multielement

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