ironclad

American  

[ahy-ern-klad, ahy-ern-klad] / ˈaɪ ərnˈklæd, ˈaɪ ərnˌklæd /

adjective

1. covered or cased with iron plates, as a ship for naval warfare; armor-plated.

2. very rigid or exacting; inflexible; unbreakable.

   an ironclad contract.

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noun

1. a wooden warship of the middle or late 19th century having iron or steel armor plating.

ironclad British  

adjective

1. covered or protected with iron

   an ironclad warship

2. inflexible; rigid

   an ironclad rule

3. not able to be assailed or contradicted

   an ironclad argument

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noun

1. a large wooden 19th-century warship with armoured plating

Etymology

Origin of ironclad

First recorded in 1850–55; iron + clad ¹

Example Sentences

So oil companies who go in need to have ironclad legal terms that aren’t just about a change of control in Venezuela.

From Barron's

So oil companies who go in need to have ironclad legal terms that aren’t just about a change of control in Venezuela.

From Barron's

Board members said they were concerned that Paramount’s financing appeared shaky and the Ellison family’s assurances were far from ironclad.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if bubble fears are misplaced—remember, statistical observations are just that, not ironclad predictions—this trend is still noteworthy.

From Barron's

Even if bubble fears are misplaced—remember, statistical observations are just that, not ironclad predictions—this trend is still noteworthy.

From Barron's

Related Words

• abiding
• definite
• inflexible
• unwavering