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iron
[ ahy-ern ]
noun
- Chemistry. a ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element, scarcely known in a pure condition, but much used in its crude or impure carbon-containing forms for making tools, implements, machinery, etc. : Fe; : 55.847; : 26; : 7.86 at 20°C. Compare cast iron, pig iron, steel, wrought iron.
- something hard, strong, rigid, unyielding, or the like:
hearts of iron.
- an instrument, utensil, weapon, etc., made of iron.
- an appliance with a flat metal bottom, used when heated, as by electricity, to press or smooth clothes, linens, etc.
- Golf. one of a series of nine iron-headed clubs having progressively sloped-back faces, used for driving or lofting the ball. Compare wood 1( def 8 ).
- any of several tools, structural members, etc., of metals other than iron.
- the blade of a carpenter's plane.
- Slang. a pistol.
- a harpoon.
- Medicine/Medical. a preparation of iron or containing iron, used chiefly in the treatment of anemia, or as a styptic and astringent.
- irons, shackles or fetters:
Put him in irons!
- a sword.
adjective
- of, containing, or made of iron:
an iron skillet.
- resembling iron in firmness, strength, color, etc.:
an iron will.
the iron reign of a tyrant.
Our club's iron rule is to treat everyone like family.
She lived well into her 90's with a sunny disposition and iron constitution.
- holding or binding strongly:
The country is in the icy, iron grip of the beast from the east, bitter Siberian winds that have trapped us in winter.
- irritating or harsh in tone:
an iron voice.
verb (used with object)
- to smooth or press with a heated iron, as clothes or linens.
- to furnish, mount, or arm with iron.
- to shackle or fetter with irons.
- Metalworking. to smooth and thin the walls of (an object being deep-drawn).
verb (used without object)
- to press clothes, linens, etc., with an iron.
verb phrase
- to iron or press (an item of clothing or the like).
- to remove (wrinkles) from by ironing.
- to resolve or clear up (difficulties, disagreements, etc.):
The problem was ironed out months ago.
iron
/ ˈɪə /
noun
- a malleable ductile silvery-white ferromagnetic metallic element occurring principally in haematite and magnetite. It is widely used for structural and engineering purposes. Symbol: Fe; atomic no: 26; atomic wt: 55.847; valency: 2,3,4, or 6; relative density: 7.874; melting pt: 1538°C; boiling pt: 2862°C See also steel cast iron wrought iron pig iron ferricferrous ferro-
- ( as modifier )
iron railings
- any of certain tools or implements made of iron or steel, esp for use when hot
a soldering iron
a grappling iron
- an appliance for pressing fabrics using dry heat or steam, esp a small electrically heated device with a handle and a weighted flat bottom
- any of various golf clubs with narrow metal heads, numbered from 1 to 9 according to the slant of the face, used esp for approach shots
a No. 6 iron
- an informal word for harpoon
- slang.a splintlike support for a malformed leg
- great hardness, strength, or resolve
a will of iron
- astronomy short for iron meteorite
- See shooting iron
- strike while the iron is hotto act at an opportune moment
adjective
- very hard, immovable, or implacable
iron determination
- very strong; extremely robust
an iron constitution
- cruel or unyielding
he ruled with an iron hand
- an iron fista cruel and unyielding attitude or approach See also velvet
verb
- to smooth (clothes or fabric) by removing (creases or wrinkles) using a heated iron; press
- tr to furnish or clothe with iron
- rare.tr to place (a prisoner) in irons
iron
/ ī′ə /
- A silvery-white, hard metallic element that occurs abundantly in minerals such as hematite, magnetite, pyrite, and ilmenite. It is malleable and ductile, can be magnetized, and rusts readily in moist air. It is used to make steel and other alloys important in construction and manufacturing. Iron is a component of hemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body. Atomic number 26; atomic weight 55.845; melting point 1,535°C; boiling point 2,750°C; specific gravity 7.874 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 6.
- See Periodic Table See Note at element
Derived Forms
- ˈDzԱ, adjective
- ˈDzԱ, noun
- ˈDzˌ, adjective
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·Dz· adjective
- ·Dz· adjective
- ܲ··DzԱ adjective
- ɱ-·DzԱ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of iron1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of iron1
Idioms and Phrases
- in irons,
- Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) unable to maneuver because of the position of the sails with relation to the direction of the wind.
- Nautical. (of a towing vessel) unable to maneuver because of tension on the towing line.
- Also into irons. in shackles or fetters.
- irons in the fire, matters with which one is immediately concerned; undertakings; projects:
He had other irons in the fire, so that one failure would not destroy him.
- pump iron, to lift weights as an exercise or in competition.
- strike while the iron is hot, to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.
More idioms and phrases containing iron
- pump iron
- strike while the iron's hot
Example Sentences
But there’s no time to waste, so Elliot puts the animal out of its misery with a tire iron and loads it into the trunk of their rental.
The plant's Chinese owner, Jingye, has cancelled two cargo shipments of coking coal for the site's two blast furnaces and it has not yet paid for iron pellets that are scheduled to arrive next week.
Sandberg becomes more the epitome of someone with the proverbial whim of iron.
“It feels like a house,” Cecilia says, noting the built-in ironing board in the kitchen, one of many period details she enjoys.
Use a 4” to 6” deep heavy-bottomed or iron skillet and clip your thermometer to the side if possible for easy monitoring.
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Related 51Թs
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.
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