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• cast iron
  cast iron

  noun

  an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements, cast as a soft and strong, or as a hard and brittle, iron, depending on the mixture and methods of molding.
• cast-iron
  cast-iron

  adjective

  made of cast iron.

cast iron

¹ American  

noun

1. an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements, cast as a soft and strong, or as a hard and brittle, iron, depending on the mixture and methods of molding.

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cast-iron ² American  

[kast-ahy-ern, kahst-] / ˈkæstˈaɪ ərn, ˈkɑst- /

adjective

1. made of cast iron.

2. not subject to change or exception.

   a cast-iron rule.

3. hardy.

   a cast-iron stomach.

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cast iron British  

noun

1. iron containing so much carbon (1.7 to 4.5 per cent) that it cannot be wrought and must be cast into shape

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adjective

1. made of cast iron

2. rigid, strong, or unyielding

   a cast-iron decision

Etymology

Origin of cast iron¹

1655–65; cast (past participle of cast ( def. ) ) + iron

Origin of cast-iron²

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cast iron cast-iron

The local authority said the bridge would be kept under close review, and may also close again if further deterioration of its cast iron girders is identified.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Laura Cherkas gives Aurora Sanchez a cast iron pan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026

The snake and cast iron plant can also tolerate darker areas in your home.

From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2026

Made In 7-piece Enameled Cast Iron Set -Enameled cast iron is a meaningful upgrade for any home cook ready to level up.

From Salon ● Nov. 20, 2025

To fix a broken machine, which was forged out of cast iron at a foundry inside Camp 14, Shin and other repairmen had to haul it on their backs to a repair shop upstairs.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Fry the flautas in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until golden brown.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2026

In the styrofoam boxes of New York’s halal carts and the cast-iron dishware of its trendiest restaurants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

Treat these chops like you would a good steak: high heat, cast-iron press if you have one, and let that crust work its magic.

From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2025

It's been no secret that Buckingham Palace has wanted to see him move out of such a grand setting, but it's also recognised that he has a cast-iron lease, independently held.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025

For example, in the living room was a cast-iron potbellied coal stove for heating and cooking.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls