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

When I want something really close to the heat, I’ll turn a cast iron pan upside down, put it on the uppermost rack, and place another pan on top of that.

From Eater

These pancakes — at their best when cooked on a cast iron — are light as heck every time with just the right amount of acid.

From Eater

Plenty of people similarly sought to educate Gray about cast iron in the hopes of converting her, sharing their own tips and techniques for maintaining it.

From Washington Post

Never use soap to wash a seasoned cast iron pan or put it in the dishwasher.

From Washington Post

The small shop creates cast iron skillets, oven-to-table bakeware, and Dutch ovens.

From Eater

Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-sided cast iron skillet.

From The Daily Beast

Did you know that London at one point surfaced its streets with cast iron, and even wood?

From The Daily Beast

But beware of the kitchen snobs who sniff that they only need three knives and a cast iron dutch oven.

From The Daily Beast

The purists who say that they need nothing except a cast iron dutch oven and a good chef's knife may scoff, but I stand firm.

From The Daily Beast

Over medium heat, warm up a cast-iron griddle or large skillet; a non-stick griddle or pan will do as well.

From The Daily Beast

Now, the whole Northwest groaned beneath a cast-iron prohibition law at that time, and for some years thereafter.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a cast-iron plunger-pole, over the shaft, of 33 inches diameter, 10-feet stroke.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no engine stopped on account of this accident; but I shall never let the fire come in contact again with the cast iron.

From Project Gutenberg

The boiler was a cylinder of cast iron, with a wrought-iron tube going through its length in which the fire was placed.

From Project Gutenberg

Improved stove pipings are now being manufactured in the States which in appearance exactly resemble cast-iron.

From Project Gutenberg