iron

[ ahy-ern ]

/ ˈaɪ ərn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR iron ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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. Symbol: Fe; atomic weight: 55.847; atomic number: 26; specific gravity: 7.86 at 20°C.Compare cast iron, pig iron, steel, wrought iron.

something hard, strong, rigid, unyielding, or the like: hearts of iron.

an instrument, utensil, weapon, etc., made of iron.

an appliance with a flat metal bottom, used when heated, as by electricity, to press or smooth clothes, linens, etc.

Golf. one of a series of nine iron-headed clubs having progressively sloped-back faces, used for driving or lofting the ball.Compare wood¹(def 8).

a branding iron.

any of several tools, structural members, etc., of metals other than iron.

the blade of a carpenter's plane.

Slang. a pistol.

a harpoon.

Medicine/Medical. a preparation of iron or containing iron, used chiefly in the treatment of anemia, or as a styptic and astringent.

irons, shackles or fetters: Put him in irons!

a sword.

adjective

of, containing, or made of iron: an iron skillet.

resembling iron in firmness, strength, color, etc.: an iron will.

stern; harsh; cruel.

inflexible; unrelenting.

strong; robust; healthy.

holding or binding strongly: an iron grip.

irritating or harsh in tone: an iron voice.

verb (used with object)

to smooth or press with a heated iron, as clothes or linens.

to furnish, mount, or arm with iron.

to shackle or fetter with irons.

Metalworking. to smooth and thin the walls of (an object being deep-drawn).

verb (used without object)

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

Verb Phrases

iron out,

to iron or press (an item of clothing or the like).
to remove (wrinkles) from by ironing.
to resolve or clear up (difficulties, disagreements, etc.): The problem was ironed out months ago.

Nearby words

irm, irma, irminger current, iro, iroko, iron, iron age, iron blue, iron brick, iron chancellor, iron cross

Idioms

in irons,

Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) unable to maneuver because of the position of the sails with relation to the direction of the wind.
Nautical. (of a towing vessel) unable to maneuver because of tension on the towing line.
Also into irons. in shackles or fetters.

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.

pump iron, to lift weights as an exercise or in competition.

strike while the iron is hot, to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.

Origin of iron

before 900; Middle English, Old English īren (noun and adj.), perhaps < *īsren, metathesized from īsern, variant of īsen; compare Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse īsarn, Gothic eisarn < Germanic *īsarnam, perhaps < Celtic; compare Gaulish Ysarno-, Iserno- (in place names), Old Breton hoiarn, Welsh haearn, Old Irish íarn

Related forms

i·ron·less, adjectivei·ron·like, adjectiveun·i·roned, adjectivewell-i·roned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for iron

Cruce operates the Iron Hill Campground on the other side of the highway.
The 7-Year-Old Plane Crash Survivor’s Brutal Journey Through the Woods|James Higdon|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A whole population of 11 million with every iron in the fire doubling as a finger in a dike.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Choosing to strike while the iron was hot, Future announced his followup to Pluto, Future Hendrix, right away.
Future Makes Us Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew About Rap Artists|Luke Hopping|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But these choices are where Iron from Ice (and other Telltale properties) sets itself apart.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat|Alec Kubas-Meyer|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As its name suggest, Game of Thrones—Episode 1—Iron from Ice is the first of six parts that will release over the coming months.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat|Alec Kubas-Meyer|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The advantages conferred upon us by abundant supplies of iron and by cheap labour will not last for ever.
Ancient and Modern Ships.|George C. V. Holmes
Wood and iron both have their peculiar advantages and disadvantages.
Inventions in the Century|William Henry Doolittle
Cestus, ses′tus, n. the girdle of Venus, which had power to awaken love: an ancient boxing-glove loaded with lead or iron.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
His head was covered with an iron cap; but as he looked he laid bare a thin strip of his neck.
Myths and Folk Tales of Ireland|Jeremiah Curtin
One of these coils is of fine wire, which is wound a great many times around the iron.
The Story of Great Inventions|Elmer Ellsworth Burns

British Dictionary definitions for iron

iron

/ (ˈaɪən) /

noun

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°CSee also steel, cast iron, wrought iron, pig iron Related adjectives: ferric, ferrous Related prefix: ferro-
(as modifier)iron railings

any of certain tools or implements made of iron or steel, esp for use when hota grappling iron; a soldering iron

an appliance for pressing fabrics using dry heat or steam, esp a small electrically heated device with a handle and a weighted flat bottom

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 shotsa No. 6 iron

an informal word for harpoon (def. 1)

US slang a splintlike support for a malformed leg

great hardness, strength, or resolvea will of iron

astronomy short for iron meteorite

See shooting iron

strike while the iron is hot to act at an opportune moment

adjective

very hard, immovable, or implacableiron determination

very strong; extremely robustan iron constitution

cruel or unyieldinghe ruled with an iron hand

an iron fist a cruel and unyielding attitude or approachSee also velvet (def. 6)

verb

to smooth (clothes or fabric) by removing (creases or wrinkles) using a heated iron; press

(tr) to furnish or clothe with iron

(tr) rare to place (a prisoner) in irons

Derived Forms

ironer, nounironless, adjectiveironlike, adjective

Word Origin for iron

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for iron

iron

[ ī′ərn ]

n.

A lustrous, malleable, ductile, magnetic or magnetizable metallic element. Atomic number 26.

A dietary supplement or medication containing an iron salt, such as ferrous sulfate.

adj.

Made of or containing iron.

Science definitions for iron

iron

[ ī′ərn ]

Fe

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. See Periodic Table. See Note at element.

Idioms and Phrases with iron

iron

In addition to the idioms beginning with iron

iron hand
iron out
irons in the fire, too many

also see:

pump iron
strike while the iron's hot