terbium

noun

ter·​bi·​um ˈtər-bē-əm 

: a metallic element of the rare-earth group with atomic number 65 that occurs naturally only in combination and that is used especially in alloys for electronic equipment and as a green phosphor (see phosphor sense 2) in electronic displays see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of terbium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The country is essentially the only large-scale producer and processor of heavy rare-earth elements, such as dysprosium and terbium, which are critical for building high-power, high-torque EV motors. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

The fin servos and seeker run on neodymium-iron-boron magnets (NdFB) doped with dysprosium and terbium for thermal stability. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 30 Apr. 2026

These include gold, zinc, copper and lithium, but also rare earth deposits, including dysprosium, terbium, neodymium and praseodymium, which are used in everything from electric cars and wind turbines to high-speed computing. — Tom Page, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026

But increasingly, recyclers are extracting rare-earth elements, such as neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium, which are critical in making everything from fighter jets to power tools. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 13 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Ytterby, Sweden

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for terbium

• erbium

Kids Definition

terbium

noun

ter·​bi·​um ˈtər-bē-əm 

: a rare metallic element see element

Medical Definition

terbium

noun

ter·​bi·​um ˈtər-bē-əm 

: a usually trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group

—symbol Tb see Chemical Elements Table