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
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.
Washington wants access to Brazil’s vast trove of rare earths to reduce its defense industry’s reliance on China. — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Uzbekistan holds vast deposits of rare earths and critical minerals, while neighboring Kazakhstan is the world’s leading producer of uranium, accounting for 40% of supplies. — semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026 When China restricted seven rare earth elements in April 2025, the disruption reached weapons programs directly. — Yardley Pohl, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Many depend on critical minerals such as copper and rare earth elements that face growing supply chain pressures. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rare earth

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rare earth was in 1875

Rhymes for rare earth

See All Rhymes for rare earth

Browse Nearby Words

rare breed
rare earth
rare earth element
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Cite this Entry

“Rare earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare%20earth. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

rare earth

noun
ˌrer-ˈərth How to pronounce rare earth (audio)
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
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