Iran
noun
a republic in SW Asia. About 635,000 sq. mi. (1,644,650 sq. km). Teheran.
Iran
1 American
[ih-ran, ih-rahn, ahy-ran]
/ ɪˈræn, ɪˈrɑn, aɪˈræn /
noun
Iran.
2
American
abbreviation
Iran
British
/ ɪˈrɑːn /
noun
Iran
Cultural
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In 1979, Iranian militants attacked the U.S. embassy and seized hostages, including sixty-two Americans, who were held until 1981.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ruled from 1979 until his death in 1989, imposing strict Islamic law.
The United States supported the regime of the shah (king) Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was forced by popular opposition to leave the country in 1979.
The 1990s saw some moderating elements emerge to challenge the conservative heirs to Khomeini.
The Iranian government was widely believed to have controlled the taking of U. S. hostages in Lebanon. (See Iran-Contra affair.)
Core of the ancient Persian Empire, Iran was known as Persia until 1935.
Iraq unsuccessfully invaded Iran in 1980.
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Gas prices in the U.S. have soared during the seven-month Iran war, with the national average for a gallon of diesel reaching $6.37 on Friday, according to AAA.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
Investors are closely watching developments in the Iran conflict, crude oil prices and bond yields.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
The volume of oil flowing from the Middle East region has almost returned to pre-war levels, data shows, despite the continued restrictions Iran is placing on vessels attempting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Average US diesel prices have surged more than 70 percent to $6.39 a gallon since the start of the Iran war, according to AAA motor club data.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
I was worried what my life would look like if I had to say good-bye to my friends and move back to Iran.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
“However, high oil prices could quickly unwind if there is a deal between the U.S. and Iran. This could also cause a recovery in bonds and a drop in yields.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026
"There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network on Tuesday.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
“This is also about the fans. People come from everywhere, even from Iran. So we’re concerned about their safety.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
Asked whether she thought the war would bring change, she said, “I don’t know what they are doing in Iran, what will happen to Iran. I hate all of them.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026
“I am Dr. Zolghad, a Paragon of Vision and from Iran. Though I make my home now in the great Marvellian city of Betelmore.”
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
