lanthanide

noun

lan·​tha·​nide ˈlan(t)-thə-ˌnīd 

variants or less commonly lanthanoid

ˈlan(t)-thə-ˌnȯid 

: any of the series of elements with increasing atomic numbers that begins with lanthanum or cerium and ends with lutetium see Periodic Table

Examples of lanthanide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With fantastical names like lanthanides, scandium and yttrium, rare-earth elements play a crucial role in renewable-energy technology, which may be our best hope for avoiding catastrophic global warming. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2023

The lanthanide and actinide series — those two rows floating by themselves, named after their first members, lanthanum and actinium — are isolated like that as a concession to limited space. —Bill Andrews, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2019

The first possibility is the evolution of a new OPEC-style organization with the power to control vital resources including silicon, copper, lithium, and lanthanides. —Andrew Barron, Smithsonian, 20 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lanthanide

noun

lan·​tha·​nide ˈlan(t)-thə-ˌnīd 

: any in a series of elements of increasing atomic numbers beginning with lanthanum (57) or cerium (58) and ending with lutetium (71)