ytterbium

noun yt·ter·bi·um \ i-ˈtər-bē-əm \

|Updated on: 26 May 2018

Definition of ytterbium

: a soft metallic element of the rare-earth group that occurs especially with other rare earth elements in minerals and that has few commercial uses — see Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of ytterbium from the Web

Last year, researchers figured out how to create time crystals in a lab for the first time, using a complicated method involving a precision laser and a collection of ytterbium atoms.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Discover 'Time Crystals' Growing Right Under Their Noses," 4 May 2018
To create the time crystals, researchers at University of Maryland hooked together 10 ytterbium atoms and hit them with two lasers multiple times to keep them out of equilibrium.

— sophie weiner, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals," 28 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ytterbium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ytterbium

New Latin, from Ytterby, town in southern Sweden

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1879

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

ytterbium

noun yt·ter·bi·um \ i-ˈtər-bē-əm \

medical Definition of ytterbium

: a bivalent or trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group that resembles yttrium and occurs with it and related elements in several minerals —symbol Yb — see Chemical Elements Table