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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Instead, China placed restrictions on rare earth minerals, which are essential ingredients for a vast array of digital-age consumer and military technologies.
—
Ian Bremmer, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
According to Reuters, analysts predict a possible lunar gold rush driven by the Moon’s reserves of helium-3 and rare earth elements, such as scandium, yttrium and the 15 lanthanides, which are used in advanced technologies.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Copper, like rare earth minerals — which also play a critical role in the production of various goods from semiconductors to military hardware — is coming under pressure as supply is being outpaced by surging demand.
—Chloe Taylor,charlotte Reed, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
In addition to its strategic defense location, rare earths are even a reason Trump continues to show interest in annexing Greenland from Denmark.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
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Ian Bremmer, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
According to Reuters, analysts predict a possible lunar gold rush driven by the Moon’s reserves of helium-3 and rare earth elements, such as scandium, yttrium and the 15 lanthanides, which are used in advanced technologies.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Copper, like rare earth minerals — which also play a critical role in the production of various goods from semiconductors to military hardware — is coming under pressure as supply is being outpaced by surging demand.
—Chloe Taylor,charlotte Reed, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
In addition to its strategic defense location, rare earths are even a reason Trump continues to show interest in annexing Greenland from Denmark.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
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 1 Jan. 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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