: a metallic element with atomic number 39 usually included in the rare-earth group that occurs usually with other rare earth elements in minerals and is used especially in phosphors, YAG lasers, alloys, and treatments for certain cancers see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of yttrium in a Sentence
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China placed new restrictions on seven heavy rare earth minerals on April 4, including scandium and yttrium, in retaliation against U.S. tariffs.
—
Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Around 93% of US imports of yttrium compounds came from China in the four years through 2023, according to the US Geological Survey.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025
The new restrictions — which encompass the medium and heavy rare earth elements samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium — will require Chinese companies to secure special licenses to export the resources.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025
Rare earth materials found in Ukraine include lanthanum and cerium, which are used in TVs and lighting; neodymium, which is used in wind energy and batteries; and erbium and yttrium, which are used in lasers, Reuters reported.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Feb. 2025
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Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Around 93% of US imports of yttrium compounds came from China in the four years through 2023, according to the US Geological Survey.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025
The new restrictions — which encompass the medium and heavy rare earth elements samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium — will require Chinese companies to secure special licenses to export the resources.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025
Rare earth materials found in Ukraine include lanthanum and cerium, which are used in TVs and lighting; neodymium, which is used in wind energy and batteries; and erbium and yttrium, which are used in lasers, Reuters reported.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for yttrium
Cite this Entry
“Yttrium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yttrium. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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yttrium
noun
yt·tri·um
ˈi-trē-əm 
: a trivalent metallic element usually included among the rare earth elements which it resembles chemically and with which it occurs in minerals
—symbol Y
see Chemical Elements Table
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