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• cast iron
  cast iron

  noun

  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
  cast-iron

  adjective

  made of cast iron.

cast iron

¹ American  

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.

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cast-iron ² American  

[kast-ahy-ern, kahst-] / ˈkæstˈaɪ ərn, ˈkɑst- /

adjective

1. made of cast iron.

2. not subject to change or exception.

   a cast-iron rule.

3. hardy.

   a cast-iron stomach.

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cast iron British  

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

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adjective

1. made of cast iron

2. rigid, strong, or unyielding

   a cast-iron decision

Etymology

Origin of cast iron¹

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

Origin of cast-iron²

First recorded in 1655–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cast iron cast-iron

The gathering coincided with the annual shareholder meeting of the Lodge Cast Iron pan company, which has been melting pig iron and recycled steel to form cast iron pans for 130 years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Laura Cherkas gives Aurora Sanchez a cast iron pan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026

Made In 7-piece Enameled Cast Iron Set -Enameled cast iron is a meaningful upgrade for any home cook ready to level up.

From Salon ● Nov. 20, 2025

He called on Lammy to give his "cast iron assurance" that Kebatu will be deported from the country by the end of the week.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2025

Mama went to the backyard with Sisi to put away the cast iron cooking tripods.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The signature offerings also include plov, a dish featuring lamb or beef with rice prepared in kazans, specialty cast-iron cauldrons that give it a savory heft.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

A wood-burning cast-iron stove serves as both fireplace and heater in the center of the living space.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Fry the flautas in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until golden brown.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2026

In the styrofoam boxes of New York’s halal carts and the cast-iron dishware of its trendiest restaurants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

I found I could lift all of the pieces but one—the big cast-iron firebox.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

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