samarium

noun

sa·​mar·​i·​um sə-ˈmer-ē-əm How to pronounce samarium (audio)
: a silvery-white lustrous metallic element of the rare-earth group that is used especially in permanent magnets see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of samarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ars Video Rare but not irreplaceable The export controls China announced earlier this month cover samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—seven elements that belong to what is known as the rare earth family. ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025 Rare but Not Irreplaceable The export controls China announced earlier this month cover samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—seven elements that belong to what is known as the rare earth family. Zeyi Yang, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025 One of those elements is samarium, a silvery metal that is a critical component in magnets used in SpaceX’s rocket propulsion systems and in those of other U.S. aerospace and defense companies, says Tinglong Dai of Johns Hopkins. John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The new restrictions — which encompass the medium and heavy rare earth elements samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium — will require Chinese companies to secure special licenses to export the resources. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025 On Friday, Chinese officials announced the country will require licenses for export of samarium and six other rare-earth elements; exporters of the minerals will need to apply for export licenses through China’s Ministry of Commerce. John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 China's Ministry of Commerce said seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items would be on this list. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Included in the list of minerals subject to controls was samarium and its compounds, which are used in aerospace manufacturing and the defense sector. Time, 4 Apr. 2025 Included in the list of minerals subject to controls was samarium and its compounds, which are used in aerospace manufacturing and the defense sector. Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from French samarskite

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of samarium was in 1879

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Samarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samarium. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

samarium

noun
sa·​mar·​i·​um sə-ˈmer-ē-əm How to pronounce samarium (audio)
-ˈmar-
: a pale gray shiny metallic element see element

Medical Definition

samarium

noun
sa·​mar·​i·​um sə-ˈmer-ē-əm, -ˈmar- How to pronounce samarium (audio)
: a pale gray lustrous metallic element used especially in alloys that form permanent magnets
symbol Sm
see Chemical Elements Table

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