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ironworks

American  
[ahy-ern-wurks] / ˈaɪ ərnˌwɜrks /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)
  • ironworks
    plural
  1. an establishment where iron is smelted or where it is cast or wrought.


ironworks British  
/ ˈaɪənˌwɜːks /

noun

  1. (sometimes functioning as singular) a building in which iron is smelted, cast, or wrought

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of ironworks

1575–85; iron + works (in the sense “manufacturing establishment”)

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.

See Examples For:

Unemployment and deprivation are the main issues in the post-industrial town once famous for its coal mining and ironworks, says candidate David Hughes.

From Barron's May 4, 2026

Investigators determined that the wind-whipped fire was started by welding sparks from work being done by two employees of an ironworks firm working without a permit next door.

From Seattle Times Mar. 28, 2024

Yoshida became interested in manufacturing at an early age, learning how to weld at his grandfather's ironworks and then going on to found a company that produces myoelectric prosthetic hands.

From Reuters Oct. 2, 2023

Divers discovered 1,000 tonnes of metal work including steam engines, wheels, ironworks, and other machinery.

From BBC Nov. 5, 2022

“Like I said, I wasn’t there. I’ve been up around the ironworks the last couple days,” he nodded to the west.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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