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
Examples of rare earth in a Sentence
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The quantum engineering of new molecules could lead to better drugs and to batteries that don’t use costly, environmentally damaging commodities such as rare earth elements.
—
Zeeya Merali, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Australia ordered six investors with links to Beijing to divest their holdings of a rare earths firm that is central to efforts by Washington and Canberra to loosen China’s stranglehold on the mining and processing of the minerals.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
American officials also said Beijing would address rare earth shortages, although this was not mentioned in the corresponding statement from China.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 May 2026
In contrast to the clay-rich rare earth deposits in China’s southern provinces, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi, the new resources do not require chemical leaching to extract the minerals.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
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Zeeya Merali, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Australia ordered six investors with links to Beijing to divest their holdings of a rare earths firm that is central to efforts by Washington and Canberra to loosen China’s stranglehold on the mining and processing of the minerals.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
American officials also said Beijing would address rare earth shortages, although this was not mentioned in the corresponding statement from China.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 May 2026
In contrast to the clay-rich rare earth deposits in China’s southern provinces, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi, the new resources do not require chemical leaching to extract the minerals.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rare earth
Cite this Entry
“Rare earth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare%20earth. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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
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