noun
- any of a series of metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, including lanthanum and ending with lutetium
Usage: chemistry; also called rare earth elements
Examples
- Lanthanides are essential components in modern electronics and renewable energy technologies.
- The lanthanide series is located in the f-block of the periodic table.
- Cerium is one of the most abundant lanthanides found in Earth's crust.
- Lanthanides are used in permanent magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicles.
- Scientists study lanthanide compounds to develop new materials with unique optical properties.