lutetium

noun

lu·​te·​tium lü-ˈtē-sh(ē-)əm How to pronounce lutetium (audio)
: a metallic chemical element of the rare-earth group that has few practical applications but is sometimes used as a catalyst in cracking and as a radiation source for treatment of certain cancers see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of lutetium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 China's Ministry of Commerce said seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items would be on this list. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 Rare-earth metals and elements such as lanthanum and lutetium are raw materials of which there are limited concentrated deposits, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025 Anchored at these target sites, the lutetium isotope then releases two types of radiation that aid in cancer treatment. Discover Magazine, 8 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for lutetium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Lutetia, ancient name of Paris

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lutetium was in 1907

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lutetium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lutetium. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

lutetium

noun
lu·​te·​tium lü-ˈtē-sh(ē-)əm How to pronounce lutetium (audio)
: a soft metallic chemical element see element

Medical Definition

lutetium

noun
lu·​te·​tium
variants also lutecium
: a metallic element of the rare-earth group
symbol Lu
see Chemical Elements Table

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