cast iron

¹

noun

1. an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements, cast as a soft and strong, or as a hard and brittle, iron, depending on the mixture and methods of molding.

cast-iron

²

[ kast-ahy-ern, kahst- ]

adjective

1. made of cast iron.
2. not subject to change or exception:

   a cast-iron rule.

3. hardy:

   a cast-iron stomach.

cast iron

noun

1. iron containing so much carbon (1.7 to 4.5 per cent) that it cannot be wrought and must be cast into shape

adjective

1. made of cast iron
2. rigid, strong, or unyielding

   a cast-iron decision

Word History and Origins

Origin of cast iron¹

1655–65; cast (past participle of cast ( def ) ) + iron

Origin of cast iron²

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

The GMB union, which represents oil and gas workers and donates to Labour, said any government plans to boost wind and solar power should come with a "cast iron commitment to delivering quality jobs here".

From BBC

An 8-inch cast iron water main at 401 S. Boyle Ave. broke just after 1 a.m., said Renee Vazquez, a spokesperson with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

From Los Angeles Times

He said safeguards providing a "cast iron guarantee" on security would be set out in a new bill that will be put before Parliament to push ahead with the move.

From BBC

One specific example is using my grated weights or cast iron to get an even toast on bread.

From Salon

On her social media pages, where she shares facts about her Melungeon heritage — a lesser known mixed race rooted in Appalachia — and raises awareness about her neighbors’ lack of clean water access, residents of the region have called the vice presidential candidate a “shillbilly”; circulated a #heaintfromhere hashtag and joked that he’s the kind of guy that puts his cast iron skillet in the dishwasher.

From Los Angeles Times