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ironing

American  
[ahy-er-ning] / ˈaɪ ər nɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or process of smoothing or pressing clothes, linens, etc., with a heated iron.

  2. articles of clothing or the like that have been or are to be ironed.

ironing British  
/ ˈaɪənɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of ironing washed clothes

  2. clothes that are to be or that have been ironed

"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

Etymology

Origin of ironing

First recorded in 1700–10; iron + -ing 1

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 this case, I can’t see how ironing out a few wrinkles and covering a rumpled duvet with a digital bedspread materially misrepresents your home.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

But she admits the new law still needs "ironing out".

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

For Nuuk and Copenhagen, Wednesday's meeting at the White House is aimed at ironing out "misunderstandings".

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

Smith’s mother was a waitress who also took in ironing.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

Middle-aged women have three options, says Argentina “Norma” Valeriano, Maria Isabel’s neighbor: washing and ironing clothes, cleaning houses, or making tortillas at home, jobs that pay $50 to $90 a month.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

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.