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.
The government will become the company’s large shareholder at 15% while at the same time guaranteeing the purchase of all the rare earth magnets that MP’s new plant produces for 10 years. — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Problematic parts for the automotive industry have included semiconductor chips, including dynamic random access memory, rare earths and wire harnesses. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 Beijing manages rare earth mining and downstream separation through annual production quotas. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 Heavy rare earth minerals, in particular, are considered especially valuable because of their role in defense applications and advanced energy technologies. — Pete Cuddihy, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 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

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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 15 Aug. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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