iron man
Americannoun
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a person, as a worker or athlete, of great physical endurance who can be depended upon to perform a given task or job tirelessly.
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a machine that performs a job formerly done by hand; robot.
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Slang. a dollar bill or a silver dollar.
noun
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an event at a surf carnival in which contestants compete at swimming, surfing, running, etc
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a competitor at such an event
Etymology
Origin of iron man
First recorded in 1610–20
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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
Ryan Kerrigan, the Washington Commanders’ all-time sack leader whose dedicated workouts led to an impressive iron man streak, announced his retirement Friday after playing 11 seasons in the NFL.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 29, 2022
Yes, Wilson has been an iron man, missing just three games in his 10-year career.
From Seattle Times ● May 12, 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.
