rare-earth element

[rair-urth] / ˈrɛərˈɜrθ /

NOUN

group of chemical elements

Synonyms

WEAK

base metal native metal noble metal oxide precious metal rare earth rare metal rare-earth metal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

USA Rare Earth will buy Brazil’s Serra Verde, which is seen as representing more than half the non-China heavy rare-earth element supply.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Australia and Canada, for instance, have significant rare-earth resources that can help support America’s rare-earth element needs.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 21, 2025

Ramaco Resources, a metallurgical coal producer, is developing its Brook Mine, which holds significant heavy rare-earth element deposits.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

Peter A. Morrison, manager of the Navy program, said the weapon’s lasers use a crystal that has been doped with a rare-earth element.

From New York Times • May 14, 2013

Iridium was the key, rare-earth element that tipped geologists off that an asteroid struck the Earth at the end of the Cretaceous.

From Slate • Feb. 7, 2013