scandium

noun

scan·​di·​um ˈskan-dē-əm 

: a silvery-white metallic element found widely especially in association with rare earth elements and used especially in alloys and in high-intensity electric lamps see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of scandium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Why China dominates rare earths Rare earths are a group of 17 elements in the middle of the periodic table, including neodymium, cerium and scandium. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 10 June 2025

Those rare earths included samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. —Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

China placed new restrictions on seven heavy rare earth minerals on April 4, including scandium and yttrium, in retaliation against U.S. tariffs. —Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025

Baseball bats and bicycle frames may contain traces of scandium. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025

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

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

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Scandia, ancient name of southern Scandinavian peninsula

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scandium

noun

scan·​di·​um ˈskan-dē-əm 

: a silvery white metallic element found together with other rare elements see element

Medical Definition

scandium

noun

scan·​di·​um ˈskan-dē-əm 

: a white trivalent metallic element found in association with rare earth elements

—symbol Sc see Chemical Elements Table