iron
noun
\ ˈī(-ə)rn
\
\
Definition of iron
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: a silver-white malleable ductile magnetic heavy metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs native in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks, is the most used of metals, and is vital to biological processes — see Chemical Elements Table
2
: something made of iron: such as
a
: a household device usually with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth, finish, or press (such as cloth)
b
: any of a series of numbered golf clubs having relatively thin metal heads — compare wood
c
irons plural
: shackles for the hands or legs
d
: a heated metal implement used for branding or cauterizing
e
: stirrup
—usually used in plural
3
: great strength, hardness, or determination
iron in the fire
1
: a matter requiring close attention
2
: a prospective course of action
iron
adjectiveDefinition of iron (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: of, relating to, or made of iron
2
: resembling iron
3a
: strong and healthy : robust
an iron constitution
b
: inflexible, unrelenting
iron determination
c
: holding or binding fast
an iron grip
iron
verb
ironed;
ironing;
irons
Definition of iron (Entry 3 of 3)
1a
: to smooth with or as if with a heated iron
iron a shirt
b
: to remove (something, such as wrinkles) by ironing
2
: to shackle with irons
3
: to furnish or cover with iron
: to smooth or press cloth or clothing with a heated iron
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Other Words from iron
Adjective
ironness
\ ˈī(-ə)rn-nəs
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for iron
Synonyms: Adjective
firm, forceful, hearty, lusty, robust, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of iron in a Sentence
Adjective
he had an iron determination to succeed in on Wall StreetRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
Ancient Greek legend held that a shepherd named Magnes first discovered the curious force when a stone pulled at his iron staff in an area of Greece then known as Magnesia. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian, "Mesoamerican Sculptures Reveal Early Knowledge of Magnetism," 6 Aug. 2019 On Sunday, Lambert, 35, posted a video of McLoughlin trying his hand at cooking some stick-to-your-ribs southern cuisine on a down home iron skillet. — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "Miranda Lambert's Husband Brendan McLoughlin Tries Cooking Her Southern Fried Chicken," 5 Aug. 2019 Fun fact: on the Vickers hardness test, iron has a value of around 30 to 80 HV. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "How Porsche Built the Game-Changing Brakes on the 2019 Cayenne," 2 Aug. 2019 Zeolites can trap copper, iron and other metals that can act as catalysts to replace methane's four hydrogen atoms with two oxygens. — Rob Jackson, Scientific American, "To Fight Climate Change, We Should Actually Add Carbon Dioxide to the Atmosphere," 31 July 2019 Days after his son's funeral, Dillinger's father had the casket reburied under a protective cap of concrete and scrap iron topped by four reinforced-concrete slabs, said Susan Sutton, a historian with the Indiana Historical Society. — CBS News, "Exhumation of 1930s gangster John Dillinger may end conspiracy theories, but dig won't be easy," 31 July 2019 Marine archaeologists also discovered iron knees, a method of ship construction that provides internal structural support for deck beams and frames, which is not commonly seen in the 19th-century ships, NOAA reported. — Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, "NOAA researchers discover two unexplored shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico," 30 July 2019 To begin, Wu covers dozens of sheets of xuan (rice) paper, roughly 4 by 8 feet, with an emulsion made from iron compounds that turn deep blue after being exposed to sunlight. — Laura Mallonee, WIRED, "You Can't Photoshop This Mountain," 29 July 2019 For iron-deficiency anemia to happen, there has to be a heavy infestation. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "What Is Hookworm? An Infectious Disease Expert Explains What You Need To Know," 25 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
In homes people wake up in the middle of the night to cook or iron their shirts. — The Economist, "Zimbabwe’s economy is crashing and its people are hungry," 15 Aug. 2019 With any luck the LOUD Weekend will continue in future years, and the growing pains will iron themselves out. — Zoë Madonna, BostonGlobe.com, "Bang on a Can turns up the volume with LOUD Weekend at Mass MoCA," 3 Aug. 2019 Think about using the vintage ironing closet for some of your supplies. — Bang Staff And Correspondents, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Attractive vintage home on huge lot," 30 July 2019 The San Francisco 49ers and place kicker Robbie Gould agreed to a new deal early Monday morning, and with an hour before the 4 p.m. ET deadline, the Atlanta Falcons had ironed theirs out with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. — Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, "Franchise-tag roundup: Robbie Gould, Grady Jarrett get new deals; Texans' Jadeveon Clowney doesn't," 15 July 2019 Their white shirts were ironed, their shoes were vigorously shined and their faces had been scrubbed clean. — Maria Petrakis, latimes.com, "Wanted: People willing to live on a beautiful, remote Greek island," 6 June 2019 Women who stepped in and made sure my hair was done right, clothes were ironed, spirit was high and unbroken. — Harmonyholiday, Longreads, "Mama Looks for Melanin," 6 June 2019 Anyone can iron Jim Bob’s shirt, anybody can make lunch for him. — Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE.com, "'Be Joyfully Available for Him ... Even Though You May Be Exhausted and Big Pregnant': The Duggar Family's Most Candid Sex Tips," 28 June 2019 Trump landed in politics with a persona - wealthy playboy, savvy tycoon, gruff truth-teller - ironed into place by decades of media appearances. — oregonlive.com, "‘He’s just a psychotic’: Letterman looks back with regret on his many Trump interviews," 13 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'iron.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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