Iron Age

American  

noun

1. the period in the history of humankind, following the Stone Age and the Bronze Age, marked by the use of implements and weapons made of iron.

2. (lowercase) the present age, following the bronze age; the last and worst of the four ages of the human race, characterized by danger, corruption, and toil.

3. (lowercase) any age or period of degeneracy or wickedness.

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iron age ¹ British  

noun

1. classical myth the last and worst age in the history of the world

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Iron Age ² British  

noun

1. 1. the period following the Bronze Age characterized by the extremely rapid spread of iron tools and weapons, which began in the Middle East about 1100 _bc

   2. ( as modifier )

      an Iron-Age weapon

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Iron Age Scientific  

1. The period in cultural development succeeding the Bronze Age in Asia, Europe, and Africa, characterized by the introduction of iron metallurgy. In southeastern Europe and the Middle East the beginning of the Iron Age is generally dated to around 1200 bce, with later dates for other parts of Europe and the other continents. Although not as hard or durable as bronze, iron is a more abundant resource, and the Iron Age saw a rapid expansion of metalworking wherever the technology was introduced.

2. See Note at Three Age system

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Iron Age Cultural  

1. The period of history, succeeding the Bronze Age, when people first learned to extract iron from ore and use it to forge tools, weapons, and other objects. The first organized production of iron objects developed in southwestern Asia shortly after 2000 b.c.

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Etymology

Origin of Iron Age

First recorded in 1585–95

Compare meaning

How does iron-age compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Bronze Age vs. Iron Age

Example Sentences

Archaeologists have been stunned to discover two of the rarest Iron Age objects in the same excavation.

From BBC

He said, if confirmed, the discovery is a "first in Ireland", as there are similar structures from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in France and Spain.

From BBC

And that's where three Iron Age pigs, and later cattle and ponies, will help revitalise this site.

From BBC

The composition matched a copper-zinc-tin-lead alloy characteristic of the Iron Age and later periods.

From Science Daily

There’s a whole lot more going on than a hearty appreciation of sheep, interlaced, rolling hills and Iron Age forts.

From Salon