iron man
Americannoun
-
a person, as a worker or athlete, of great physical endurance who can be depended upon to perform a given task or job tirelessly.
-
a machine that performs a job formerly done by hand; robot.
-
Slang. a dollar bill or a silver dollar.
noun
-
an event at a surf carnival in which contestants compete at swimming, surfing, running, etc
-
a competitor at such an event
Etymology
Origin of iron man
First recorded in 1610–20
Compare meaning
How does iron-man compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
In September, Sony Pictures Television handed the keys to its game show “Wheel of Fortune” to Ryan Seacrest, broadcasting’s iron man.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2025
However, this would-be iron man recently suffered a set-back when he was arrested in the central African nation of Chad.
From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2024
Jarvis had held the iron man crown for almost 35 years before last season.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 26, 2022
Richmond’s iron man point guard Jacob Gilyard put up an air ball at the other end to finish the half 0 for 6 from the field.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 19, 2022
And high above me now the bridge seemed to move off to where I could not see, striding like a robot, an iron man, whose iron legs clanged doomfully as it moved.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
