iron

[ ahy-ern ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element, scarcely known in a pure condition, but much used in its crude or impure carbon-containing forms for making tools, implements, machinery, etc. : Fe; : 55.847; : 26; : 7.86 at 20°C. Compare cast iron, pig iron, steel, wrought iron.
2. something hard, strong, rigid, unyielding, or the like:

   hearts of iron.

3. an instrument, utensil, weapon, etc., made of iron.
4. an appliance with a flat metal bottom, used when heated, as by electricity, to press or smooth clothes, linens, etc.
5. Golf. one of a series of nine iron-headed clubs having progressively sloped-back faces, used for driving or lofting the ball. Compare wood ¹( def 8 ).
6. a branding iron.
7. any of several tools, structural members, etc., of metals other than iron.
8. the blade of a carpenter's plane.
9. Slang. a pistol.
10. a harpoon.
11. Medicine/Medical. a preparation of iron or containing iron, used chiefly in the treatment of anemia, or as a styptic and astringent.
12. irons, shackles or fetters:

    Put him in irons!

13. a sword.

adjective

1. of, containing, or made of iron:

   an iron skillet.

2. resembling iron in firmness, strength, color, etc.:

   an iron will.

3. stern; harsh; cruel:

   the iron reign of a tyrant.

4. inflexible; unrelenting:

   Our club's iron rule is to treat everyone like family.

5. strong; robust; healthy:

   She lived well into her 90's with a sunny disposition and iron constitution.

6. holding or binding strongly:

   The country is in the icy, iron grip of the beast from the east, bitter Siberian winds that have trapped us in winter.

7. irritating or harsh in tone:

   an iron voice.

verb (used with object)

1. to smooth or press with a heated iron, as clothes or linens.
2. to furnish, mount, or arm with iron.
3. to shackle or fetter with irons.
4. Metalworking. to smooth and thin the walls of (an object being deep-drawn).

verb (used without object)

1. to press clothes, linens, etc., with an iron.

verb phrase

1. 1. to iron or press (an item of clothing or the like).
   2. to remove (wrinkles) from by ironing.
   3. to resolve or clear up (difficulties, disagreements, etc.):

      The problem was ironed out months ago.

iron

/ ˈaɪən /

noun

1. 1. a malleable ductile silvery-white ferromagnetic metallic element occurring principally in haematite and magnetite. It is widely used for structural and engineering purposes. Symbol: Fe; atomic no: 26; atomic wt: 55.847; valency: 2,3,4, or 6; relative density: 7.874; melting pt: 1538°C; boiling pt: 2862°C See also steel cast iron wrought iron pig iron ferricferrous ferro-
   2. ( as modifier )

      iron railings

2. any of certain tools or implements made of iron or steel, esp for use when hot

   a soldering iron

   a grappling iron

3. an appliance for pressing fabrics using dry heat or steam, esp a small electrically heated device with a handle and a weighted flat bottom
4. any of various golf clubs with narrow metal heads, numbered from 1 to 9 according to the slant of the face, used esp for approach shots

   a No. 6 iron

5. an informal word for harpoon
6. slang.
   a splintlike support for a malformed leg
7. great hardness, strength, or resolve

   a will of iron

8. astronomy short for iron meteorite
9. See shooting iron
10. strike while the iron is hot
    to act at an opportune moment

adjective

1. very hard, immovable, or implacable

   iron determination

2. very strong; extremely robust

   an iron constitution

3. cruel or unyielding

   he ruled with an iron hand

4. an iron fist
   a cruel and unyielding attitude or approach See also velvet

verb

1. to smooth (clothes or fabric) by removing (creases or wrinkles) using a heated iron; press
2. tr to furnish or clothe with iron
3. rare.
   tr to place (a prisoner) in irons

iron

/ ī′ərn /

1. A silvery-white, hard metallic element that occurs abundantly in minerals such as hematite, magnetite, pyrite, and ilmenite. It is malleable and ductile, can be magnetized, and rusts readily in moist air. It is used to make steel and other alloys important in construction and manufacturing. Iron is a component of hemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body. Atomic number 26; atomic weight 55.845; melting point 1,535°C; boiling point 2,750°C; specific gravity 7.874 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 6.
2. See Periodic Table See Note at element

Derived Forms

• ˈironless, adjective
• ˈironer, noun
• ˈironˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• i·ron·less adjective
• i·ron·like adjective
• un·i·roned adjective
• well-i·roned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of iron¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English īren (noun and adjective), perhaps from unattested īsren, metathesized from īsern, variant of īsen; compare Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse īsarn, Gothic eisarn, from Germanic īsarnam, perhaps from Celtic; compare Gaulish Ysarno-, Iserno- (in placenames), Old Breton hoiarn, Welsh haearn, Old Irish íarn

Word History and Origins

Origin of iron¹

Old English irēn; related to Old High German īsan, Old Norse jārn; compare Old Irish īarn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in irons,
   1. Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) unable to maneuver because of the position of the sails with relation to the direction of the wind.
   2. Nautical. (of a towing vessel) unable to maneuver because of tension on the towing line.
   3. Also into irons. in shackles or fetters.
2. irons in the fire, matters with which one is immediately concerned; undertakings; projects:

   He had other irons in the fire, so that one failure would not destroy him.

3. pump iron, to lift weights as an exercise or in competition.
4. strike while the iron is hot, to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.

More idioms and phrases containing iron

• pump iron
• strike while the iron's hot

Example Sentences

It was a significant swing from Riley, who was desperate to iron out the issues that followed him since his days at Oklahoma, where his dedication to defense had been regularly questioned.

From Los Angeles Times

This system allowed the bacteria to overcome iron starvation and proliferate, even in the presence of the drug.

From Science Daily

Priority No. 1 for the project, which is managed by the China Geological Survey, is to help the country wean itself off imported fossil fuels and ores such as iron and aluminum.

From Science Magazine

A post-mortem examination found Sara had suffered injuries including "probable human bite marks", an iron burn and scalding from hot water before she died on 8 August 2023.

From BBC

In the background are exposed brick buildings with corrugated iron roofs, ploughed fields, mango trees and maize crops.

From BBC

Related Words

• rigid
• steely