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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

Richards developed a close bond with Milner but remembers getting the blame for the parody 'Boring James Milner' social media account, which mocked the player, often focusing on ironing, tea and trivial match details.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

The administration is still ironing out the details, Hassett noted in the interview on Fox Business Network’s Mornings With Maria.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

After the meeting in Florida, Zelensky announced plans to convene a meeting of national security advisers from Kyiv’s European allies to continue ironing out the agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

But there were other ironing boards at my school.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

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.