rare earth

noun

1

: any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals

2

: rare earth element

Examples of rare earth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That assessment came some four months after China imposed export controls on rare earth magnets—used in products from home appliances to missiles—in retaliation for U.S. tariff threats. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025

China’s grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on U.S. industries. —Reuters, NBC news, 28 July 2025

Wu said the country’s leverage goes beyond rare earths to – among other things – drone and electric vehicle battery supply chains, where China plays a significant role. —John Liu, CNN Money, 27 July 2025

And iron can be sourced nearly anywhere; domestic manufacturing without any rare earth hoops to jump through. —Joe Salas july 19, New Atlas, 19 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rare earth

• afterbirth
• berth
• birth
• dearth
• firth
• girth
• mirth
• worth
• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth

Medical Definition

rare earth

noun

ˌrer-ˈərth 

1

: any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals

2

: rare earth element